Manila Standard - 2018 December 6 - Thursday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

manilastandard.net

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circ@manilastandardtoday.com

ATENEO ROUTS UP, 99-81, RETAINS UAAP CROWN

By Peter Atencio

VOL. XXXII • NO. 294 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

ATENEO showed its championship class for the second straight game in the finals, this time with a more emphatic 99-81 win over University of the Philippines to capture a second straight University Athletic Association of the Philippines basketball crown before a full-house at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

Dominant from start to finish, the

Blue Eagles clinched a 10th UAAP championship overall in men’s basketball. They defeated UP, 88-79, in Game 1 on Saturday to move on the cusp of the title repeat.

“I want to thank the players, they’re a marvelous team, they’re a joy to work with the whole season. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work with them’’ said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin. “It is our priority to do everything with dignity and class and long we may do this.’’ Next page

SOARING EAGLES. Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena leads the Blue Eagles to a back-to-back championship victory against the University of the Philippinbes Maroons in Game 2 of of the Finals of the UAAP 81 season, 99-81, at the airconditioned Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Ey Acasio

‘Du30 deeds tame inflation’ House to compel Senate to act on Cha-Cha

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

A PRO-CHARTER change lawmaker on Wednesday said the House of Representatives may ask the Supreme Court to compel the Senate to act on the proposed federal charter if the senators “neglect” their job.

Speaking to the ANC news channel, Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso, chairman of the committee on constitutional amendments, said the Rules of Court provide

that “if you refuse to perform an act specified by law then you can be subject to a petition for mandamus.

“I don’t like to make any further comment because we might be telegraphing our punches. But there are a lot of things that the House of Representatives can do,” he added.

The House on Tuesday approved on second reading a proposed federal charter in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign promise to set up a

federal system of government.

Unlike the draft prepared by Duterte’s consultative committee for Cha-Cha, the House version removes term limits for elected positions, restores the vice president in the line of succession for the presidency and removes the ban on political dynasties.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, however, said the House should explain to the public the concept of federalism before it is implemented.

Next page

Military forms strike force to stop NPA attacks

By Nat Mariano and Francisco Tuyay THE military will form a unit to counter New People’s Army hit squads this month, made up mostly of intelligence officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and its different branches, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday.

“The core of this unit will be from the Intelligence Service of the AFP. The Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines have

their own intel unit, so they could form the core of this anti-SPARU unit,” Lorenzana said, referring th the NPA Special Partisan Unit.

He said he supports the formation of the special unit to protect military personnel from attack by NPA hit squads.

“I support the anti-SPARU unit that will protect our soldiers but I said let us be very careful in organizing these people. Some quarters are saying we’ll get civilians to do it. I think no, this will be

very difficult for civilians to do this [as] they might think they have blanket authority to just kill anybody they suspect of being NPA. I want soldiers to be our antiSPARU unit members and this should be supervised by officers,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte proposed the creation of a “Duterte Death Squad” after reports said 136 people, most of them military, police and rebel returnees, were assassinated by the communist rebels in the last three years.

Next page

Palace cites ‘decisive actions’ to rein in rising prices of goods

By Nat Mariano, Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo

M

ALACAÑANG on Wednesday said the drop in the November rate of inflation wa a result of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “decisive actions” to cushion the impact of high commodity prices.

The Palace reaction came after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s year-on-year inflation rate has eased to 6 percent in November from the previous 6.7 percent in September and October.

“The Palace accepts this as good news.

We attribute this to the President’s empathy to public clamor and his decisive action,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo in a statement.

He cited Duterte’s move to streamline procedures on the importation of agricultural products, including rice, as a way to stabilize prices of food items.

“These measures address issues on

Coco board told to quit en masse, make way for new levy trust fund

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte wants the board members of the Philippine Coconut Authority to file their courtesy resignations in time for the expected enactment of the coco levy trust fund bill into law, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Wednesday.

‘Defer oil tax hike or fuel price spiral’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SO HELP YOU GOD. President Rodrigo Duterte administers the oath of office to newly appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin of Bangued, Abra, the 25th to assume the post since Cayetano Arellano of Orion, Bataan in 1901 during a ceremony on Wednesday. Bersamin earned his undergraduate course at the University of the Philippines and his law course at the University of the East.

He placed 9th in the 1973 bar exams. Malacañang Photo

food supply, among others, as there is a marked decrease in food inflation from 9.4 percent in October to 8 percent in November. Prices of rice, corn, fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables have gone down,” he added.

This was the first time that the inflation rate slowed down this year.

Panelo said the Palace would continue to monitor the prices of basic goods and commodities.

According to the PSA, lower prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, as well as communication, were reNext page corded in November.

SENATOR Francis Escudero on Wednesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider the implementation of the second tranche of the excise tax on fuel, or at least to consider its immediate suspension when inflation kicks up again in 2019.

Senator Sonny Angara said the government should act swiftly in bringing down consumer prices and in releasing the unconditional cash transfer and fuel subsidy provided by law after Duterte approved the second tranche of the fuel excise taxes starting January next year.

Next page

The Agriculture chief admitted that it was his suggestion to the President to seek the resignation of the current PCA officials.

This would help Duterte reorganize the agency in preparation of the proposed Coco Levy Act, he said.

“I believe it is standard procedure,” Piñol told GMA News Online, explaining Next page

Reds spoof national anthem THE New People’s Army’s attempt to teach minors an alternative version of the Philippine National Anthem “Lupang Hinirang” is part of local communists’ efforts to fight the government and demonize troops tasked to protect the country from such threats.

This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, when asked if the military was aware of such efforts by the rebels, especially those operating in the Davao Region.

Next page

A2

News

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rody names new AFP chief; Galvez moves to OPAPP

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has chosen Eastern Mindanao Command head Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Madrigal will assume the position on Dec. 12 when outgoing AFP chief Gen. Carlito Galvez retires.

Galvez, on the other hand, will head the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, an official said Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte made the announcement during the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday night.

“The President announced his intention to appoint General Carlito Galvez Jr. to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process,” Panelo said in a statement.

Galvez will replace former Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, who resigned two weeks ago over the alleged corruption of his senior officials at the OPAPP. Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison had previously speculated that Dureza’s resignation was aimed at covering up Duterte’s intention to militarize the OPAPP. But Panelo was quick to dismiss Sison’s claim.

Last month, Galvez said he had personally told Dureza of his plan to become a peace consultant weeks before his retirement.

“I personally conveyed my request to OPAPP and I told Secretary Dureza, ‘Can I be some sort of consultant?’ He accepted my request,” Galvez said.

Military...

From A1

The Communist Party of the Philippines blamed the President for the repeated termination of peace talks.

CCP founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison said communist rebels have wanted to peacefully end the five-decade-old armed conflict with the government, but the Duterte administration has failed by setting up conditions and terminating the peace talks.

“Duterte and his armed minions have only themselves to blame for the repeated terminations of peace negotiations that Duterte declared and for making preconditions,” said Sison from his base in Utrecht, The Netherlands on Wednesday.

The top communist official said the government’s conditions such as the surrender of the New People’s Army, the laying aside of the people’s demand for social, economic and political reforms, and the self-destruction of the revolutionary movement have blocked the path to peace and hindered the establishment of a just and lasting ceasefire between the government and communist rebels.

Sison said the National Democratic Front of the Philippines was expecting that the comprehensive agreements would have been made before the end of the year.

He said Duterte should have fulfilled his promise to [grant] amnesty and release all political prisoners.

“He would have gotten a ceasefire longer than the nearly six months from August 2016 to January 2017. And the peace negotiations would have advanced fast and smoothly,” Sison said.

“But whenever the comprehensive agreement on social and economic reforms moved forward, Duterte always came up with a surprise declaration of termination.”

Meanwhile, the AFP has formed a division-size group of infantry men to be deployed in the volatile province of Sulu to defeat the lingering security threat posed by various terrorist groups, particularly the Abu Sayyaf Group.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the division-sized unit will be permanently stationed in Sulu Archipelago to containe and decimate terrorists elements that continue to sow havoc.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines, in support to national leadership, is determined to engage squarely and defeat decisively all threat to national security that are harboring in Sulu,” Arevalo said.

The insertion of the 11th Infantry Division with a complement of about a thousand troops in Sulu came after President Duterte expressed concern that, despite the AFP garnering major victories in Sulu, security forces continue to incur casualties.

“The 11th ID is envisioned to effectively and efficiently engage and decisively defeat the lingering threat in Sulu in the soonest time possible,” Arevalo said.

House reso backs Arroyo call for pullout from IPU A

By Maricel V Cruz

PANEL in the House of Representatives has recommended for approval a resolution supporting Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s call for the Philippines to withdraw from the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The panel claims that the IPU has stepped out of its boundaries by interfering in the Philippines’ judicial processes.

The House Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, led by Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson, is expected to submit for plenary adoption its approved House Resolution 2270, or the “resolution expressing support of the House of Representatives for the withdrawal of the membership of the Philippines from the Inter-Parliamentary Union.”

Before the the resolution’s adoption, Singson started the meeting with a brief history of the IPU, saying the Philippines’ membership in that organization started in 1947.

He said that after suspensions due to the dissolution of Congresses in 1973 and in 1986, the Philippines was finally readmitted in October of 1987 during the 78th IPU conference in Bangkok, with then Senate President Jovito Salonga as president of the Philippine National Group.

Singson described the IPU as an in-

ternational organization of parliaments that supports the objectives and efforts of the United Nations and works in close cooperation with it.

“Together with the UN, it works to advance specific issues through joint cooperation activities, publications and meetings,” he said.

The resolution was filed by Minority Leader Danilo Suarez after Arroyo recommended the withdrawal of the Philippine membership from the IPU. Singson said last October, the House of Representatives attended the 139th IPU Assembly in Geneva with the Speaker leading the delegation composed of seven members.

“During the preparations, the Speaker personally instructed the members to ensure that all conferences that will take up issues and concerns of national interest must be covered,” Singson said.

He said that, as always, the House, true to its commitment to the ideals of the IPU, was an active participant in the efforts of IPU and a supportive member of its objectives and goals.

“However, after the conference, a

‘Du30...

the prices of goods and take note of consumer complaints.

“Because of this arrogance, the ordinary people to whom these government officials are supposed to serve are being victimized by profiteering and rent-seeking businessmen, Tanjusay said.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. hailed the deceleration of November 2018 inflation to 6 percent, calling it “very encouraging.”

“For the first time we are seeing significant negative month-on-month growth after inflation plateaued at around 6.7 percent. It confirms that inflation is heading back to the 2-4 percent target range in response to decisive non-monetary measures to curb food prices as well as favorable recent developments in highly volatile international oil prices,” he said.

The Central Bank chief was referring to the measures, such a the Palace’directive for the National Food Authority to release all its rice stocks nationwide starting last September as well as the move to import more rice.

These non-monetary actions were made alongside the hikes in the BSP’s key rates, which to date totaled to 175 basis points.

Espenilla said “strong monetary action has significantly reinforced the anti-inflation process through the expectations route and a firmer peso.”

The November rate brought the 11-month inflation average to 5.2 percent, way above the government’s 2 percent to 4 percent target.

Authorities expect inflation to go back to within-target levels next year.

With PNA

From A1

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday welcomed the drop in the inflation rate.

“I guess the moral of the story is, when there is a supply side inflation, then we increase the supply. But we should do it as soon as we detect the supply side inflation,” Arroyo said.

This developed as Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing, the chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means, called on the country’s economic managers to withdraw their recommendation to President Duterte to implement an additional P2 per liter increase in the fuel excise tax next year.

Suansing said the increase next year should be suspended as originally proposed as a way to keep inflation in check.

The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said prices of food, other commodities and services remain high despite the drop in the November inflation rate.

“This serious disparity tells us that the economic managers are just confined in doing table studies inside the elegant and air conditioned government boardrooms and not validating their survey with the realities experienced by ordinary people, said ALU-TUCP spokeman Alan Tanjusay.

The labor group urged government officials from the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Trade and Industry and NEDA to form a team to double-check

‘Defer oil tax...

From A1

“It is best to suspend the implementation of the second tranche of the fuel excise tax right away, or that the suspension be swift in 2019 so as to effectively address inflation before it again directly affects the lives of every Filipino,” Escudero says in Senate Resolution 964, which he filed on Wednesday..

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday warned that least 1,200 companies were poised to leave the country while many investors were having uncertainties about investing in the country if the fiscal incentives were removed under the government’s proposed second package of tax reforms.

“At least 1,200 enterprises might leave the country due to a sudden shift in policy, which would cut the incentives

Coco board...

From A1

that the resignations will give the President a free hand in selecting new directors.

“They will work until such time the new board members are appointed or if they are reappointed,” he added.

Under the proposed Coco Levy Act, the P100-billion fund for coco levy will be handled by the newly formed PCA. The reconstituted PCA will be composed of a representative from the PCA, the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Budget and Management, one coconut industry stakeholder, and six coconut

statement by the Speaker on the withdrawal of the Philippine membership from the IPU headlined the news and immediately after,” Singson said.

In his sponsorship remarks, Suarez sad the IPU was created with a vision of protecting and strengthening democracy and building strong national parliaments that can deliver on issues like health, sustainable development, peace, security and many more.

He said that in October 2018, the IPU released a resolution on its investigation of the criminal case filed against Senator Leila de Lima.

Suarez said the IPU also issued statements recommending the intervention on the case of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. “Clearly the IPU stepped out of its boundaries with its interference in the country’s judicial processes which runs counter to the principle of state sovereignty,” Suarez said.

He cited a provision in the 1987 Constitution saying the state shall pursue an independent foreign policy wherein its relations with other states shall primarily consider national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to self-determination.

“In fact, Speaker Arroyo recommended the withdrawal of the Philippine membership from the IPU after it expressed its intention to visit the country to investigate further on the cases of the said government officials,” Suarez said.

Ateneo...

From A1

given to foreign investors,” Drilon said in Wednesday’s interpellation of the budget of the Department of Trade and Industry.

He said the country also stood to lose about 150,000 jobs generated through the grant of incentives by the country’s top investment promoting agencies due to TRAIN 2.

“All of these will be in jeopardy once TRAIN 2 is passed,” Drilon said.

Escudero said postponing the next round of increase in the excise tax on fuel would unburden consumers, who were reeling from the high prices of goods due to the oil tax hike this year.

Under Section 43 of Republic Act 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN law, the implementation or suspension of the excise tax on fuel depends on the recommendation of the Department of Finance and the Development Budget Coordination Committee to the President.

Finals’ Most Valuable Player Thirdy Ravena was on fire as he finished with a career-high 38 points, 17 in the first half as the Eagles cut loose from the overmatched Maroons.

Angelo Kouame, who made life miserable for Most Valuable Player Bright Akhuetie, backed up Ravena with 22 points and 21 rebounds.

Ravena fueled a 7-3 salvo in the final minute of the half as as the Blue Eagles stormed to an 48-37 advantage at the break.

The Maroons led only once on a Paul Desiderio triple to start the game.

Half of the 23,471 fans at the Big Dome waited for the Maroons to turn things around in the second half.

The tides never turned.

Instead, it was Ateneo which continued its assault in the second half as they led by as much as 21.

Ravena again led the Eagles’ attack with three triples, the last of which allowed Ateneo to enjoy 84-63 with six minutes remaining.

Adding insult to injury, he even soared for a dunk with a minute left to punctuate the Eagles’ total dominance of the Maroons, whose last UAAP title came 32 years ago with a team backstopped by Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc and coached

by Joe Lipa.

An interesting sidenote to the Ateneo triumph were the Nieto brothers Matt and Mike, whose father Joseph “Jett’’ Nieto, was also part of the champion Ateneo team that won back-to-back titles in 1987 and 1988.

Akhuetie, who played without a left knee brace after the Ateneo side argued he can’t play with him wearing it, had 19 points and seven rebounds for the Fighting Maroons.

Gomez de Liano, shot a game-high 24 points for UP. The scores: Ateneo (99)—Ravena 38, Kouame 22, Verano 11, Tio 7, Nieto Ma. 6, Asistio 6, Belangel 6, Go 3, Nieto Mi. 0, Mamuyac 0, Mendoza 0, Andrade 0, Black 0, Wong 0, Daves 0, Navarro 0.

UP (81)—Gomez de Liaño Ju. 24, Akhuetie 19, Desiderio 15, Gomez de Liaño Ja. 11, Dario 8, Lim 2, Vito 2, Manzo 0, Jaboneta 0, Murrell 0, Spencer 0, Prado 0, Española 0, Longa 0.

Quarterscores: 25-13, 48-37, 70-56, 99-81

farmers (two each from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao).

Currently, the PCA is chaired by the Agriculture secretary and vice-chaired by its administrator with four board members.

The coconut levy fund bill seeks to put the P100 billion coconut levy assets into a trust fund to be used by coconut farmers.

Its complementary bill reorganizes the PCA, which will be tasked to manage the trust fund.

Under the bill, P5 billion from the fund will be spent on scholarship programs, empowerment of coconut farmer organizations, and farm improvement, among others. Another P10 billion sourced from the General Appropriations Act will be appropriated as the

budget of the PCA for the development of the coconut industry.

The bicameral conference committee has also reconciled provisions on the composition of the PCA. The coconut levy fund bill was recalled from Malacañang last October after Cabinet Secretaries indicated their opposition to a majority of the PCA board consisting of private individuals.

The bicameral conference committee has also agreed to review the coconut levy trust fund after six years.

“For the coconut farmers, we will give the coco levy fund at the rate of P5 billion a year for the next 25 years. The industry approved that they will allocate P10 billion a year for the benefit of the coconut industry,” Senator Cynthia Villar said.

Martial law extension gains more traction SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Wednesday she will support a possible request of President Rodrigo Duterte to Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao.

“If it comes to our chamber, I will recommend to pass it,” Arroyo told reporters.

She assured Duterte that the House would extend martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao for another year if the President wanted it.

She said the House was merely waiting for a formal request from Duterte on the matter.

House Majority Floor Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. reiterated his support for a martial law extension.

He repeated his support after Armed Forces Chief Carlito Galvez Jr. said Monday the military and the Philippine National Police would recommend extending martial law in Mindanao for one year, or from Dec. 31, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2019.

“If the President will ask for it, then chances are it shall be given,” said Andaya who heads the House committee on rules.

He said “the concurrence will be expedited if the military and the police will renew their commitment to respect the constitutional rights of every individual in the territory covered by the declaration.”

“The inputs and views of the congressmen from Mindanao, who represent the people directly affected, will carry much weight during the deliberations,” Andaya said. Maricel V. Cruz

House...

From A1

“I think the level of awareness on federalism is still low,” he said.

A recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations in June showed that 75 percent of Filipinos said they were unaware of the federal system of government.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said it is an important issue that should not rushed. Only 3 percent of the people say Charter change is important, he added.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday defended the move of the House leadership to approve on second reading a resolution on the proposed federal charter, saying it was not ruhed.

Arroyo said Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 15, which is among the priority measures President Duterte emphasized in his State of the Nation Address, was deliberated thoroughly, had gone through a regular process, and that its passage was a collegial decision.

“It was part of the democratic process, there was a debate, it was voted on,” Arroyo told reporters.

RBH pushes for a presidential-bicameral-federal system of government and empowers Congress to establish federal states by convening Congress into a constituent assembly.

Arroyo said the resolution will be approved on third and final reading before Congress adjourns for a Christmas break starting Dec. 15.

“Because it passed on second reading, three days after the copy is circulated, we should be taking it up on third reading… that would be Monday,” she said.

Arroyo said her only contribution to the draft charter was the mechanism fo setting up the federal states.

Under the House’ draft Constitution, the president and vice president shall be elected with each other to serve fouryear terms, subject to one reelection.

The first election under the proposed Constitution will be held on the second Monday of May 2022, as proposed by the House’s federal draft.

Reds...

From A1

“That has been confirmed years ago by a minor who was once in a Salugpungan school. It (“Lupang Sinira,” the rebel version of “Lupang Hinirang”) teaches the children to fight the government and it demonizes the soldiers,” Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Wednesday.

He added: “Schools are supposed to teach children love of country and be responsible Filipino citizens and contribute to nation-building.

“The national anthem they are teaching in Salugpungan is not an alternative version.

“It is a bastardized version and is an insult to the Filipinos and to our national heroes who fought and died just for the national anthem to be sung freely by the Filipinos of today and Filipinos of tomorrow.” PNA

News

A3

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Imee rallies LGUs to help keep prices of rice low

NO TO RICE TARIFFICATION. A

group of Filipino palay farmers, small rice retailers, consumers and workers gather in Mendiola, Manila to oppose the passage into law of the ‘Rice Tariffication Bill of 2018’ on Wednesday. The protesters appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte not to reject some provisions of the said bill because they claimed that it would lead to more hardships for the Filipino people. Norman Cruz

JBC grills aspirants for vacant SC post THE members of the Judicial and Bar Council on Wednesday grilled aspirants for an associate justice position in the Supreme Court on their views on various burning issues.

One of the nominees for SC post to be vacated by the retirement of Associate Justice Noel Tijam in January next year grilled by the JBC during the public interviews was Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo CabotajeTang The seven-member JBC tasked to vet aspirants for judicial posts asked Tang about an administrative charge against her for alleged favoritism in giving a retirement party to a clerk of court.

The presiding justice of the anti-graft court explained that the SC has already dismissed the said administrative case against her, saying the party was recommended by a committee owing to the long service in the Sandiganbayan of the clerk of court.

JBC member lawyer Ma. Milagros Cayosa also quizzed Tang on the graft case against former first lady Imelda Marcos where she was granted bail by the fifth division despite already being convicted in the case.

“I don’t believe they [justices in the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division] gravely abused their discretion. As a rule, an accused is still allowed provisional liberty after conviction in bailable offences,” Tang said.

Asked about her eligibility for an SC post with just only six years of experience in the judiciary, she cited her 31-year experience in the Office of the Solicitor General.

Court of Appeals Associate Justices Ramon Cruz, Eduardo Peralta, Ricardo Rosario and Ramon Bato Jr. and Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz also faced the JBC’s wringer and scrutiny.

The other applicants for the vacancy no longer faced the JBC because their previous public interviews for earlier vacancies remain valid. Rey E. Requejo

American priest in Biliran town nabbed for rape A 78-YEAR-OLD American priest who had been in the country for the past five decades was arrested by a composite team from the United States Homeland Security and the Philippine Bureau of Immigration on Wednesday.

According to a GMA 7 report, Fr. Kenneth Bernard Hendricks, 78, was accused of molesting and raping over 50 victims, most of whom were sacristans, some as young as seven years old.

In an interview, Hendricks said that his arrest saddens him since he had developed close ties with the people in Biliran.

Some patrons of his congregation even turned emotional when Hendricks had to say goodbye when he was arerested.

The long-time Biliran prelate, however, was first brought to a provincial hospital for a medical checkup before he was brought to Manila for deportation proceedings.

‘No need for Senate review of MOU between China, PH’

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Department of Justice on Wednesday said there is no need for the Senate to review the agreement entered between the Duterte administration and China on oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea since it is not in the nature of a treaty.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that the memorandum of agreement signed during the recent state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping does not require concurrence of Senate under the 1987 Constitution.

“It’s not a treaty, and therefore does not require any senate concurrence or review,” Guevarra said, in an interview.

The Justice Secretary issued the statement after Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto called for a legislative review of the MOU following concerns that it could compromise the country’s sovereignty or lead to a debt trap.

According to Guevarra, he has examined the MOU and did not find any violation of the laws.

“There are no sovereignty issues whatsoever as the MOU merely expresses a mutual desire to agree on specific cooperation arrangements

within 12 months,” he explained.

Guevarra also pointed out that the agreement expressly stated that it “shall be without prejudice to the respective legal positions of the two governments and does not give rise to any rights or obligations under international or domestic law.”

“It’s just an MOU, it’s non-committal, non-obligatory, and non-binding from a legal standpoint. It’s a mere expression of mutual desires,” he maintained.

Guevarra disputed the opinion of former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay that the MOU may be unconstitutional.

Hilbay argued that the agreement is “incompatible with the full control and supervision standard or clause.”

“It is clear that we own the West Philippine Sea and it is against the Constitution if we allow China to jointly explore with us its natural resources like oil and gas jointly,” he said.

However, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, a vocal critic on China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea, rebutted Hilbay’s position, saying that the MOU is “safe” as it included a service contract provision.

“I don’t have any objection with that kind of arrangement because if China comes in through our service contractors, those service contracts expressly recognize that the area falls within Philippine sovereignty or sovereign rights,” Carpio said.

The magistrate even suggested that the service contractor in the Philippines’ Recto Bank (Reed Bank), Forum Energy, could tap a Chinese firm as a subcontractor Businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan’s PXP Energy Corp., through its Londonlisted unit Forum Energy Plc, holds an exploration permit covering Recto Bank.

Carpio said China “can come in as a subcontractor of Forum Energy or it can buy into equity of Forum Energy, or it could do both.”

The MOU entitled “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Oil and Gas Development between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and Government of the People’s Republic of China” was signed during Xi’s visit recently.

SC affirms CTA in clearing Mikey Arroyo on tax evasion rap THE Supreme Court has sustained the Court of Tax Appeals decision dismissing the tax evasion case against former party-list Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo.

In a 13-page resolution, the SC’s First Division dismissed the appeal filed by the government citing “procedural defects and substantive deficiencies.”

The government through the Bureau of Internal Revenue had sought the reversal of the CTA decision last March 21, 2018 that absolved Arroyo of all charges of tax evasion due to insufficiency of evidence.

The CTA ruling stated that BIR “did not discover the sources of Arroyo’s vaunted income, fully disclosed the various reasons why the State’s theory of the charges could not prosper, and how the chosen audit procedure known as the net

worth method did not suffice to prove his criminal liability under the information [charge sheet].”

“In criminal cases, the quantum of evidence required is proof beyond reasonable doubt; hence, the Prosecution’s inability to identify the likely sources of the unreported or undeclared income of the taxpayer was a sure index of its failure to discharge the quantum,” the SC noted, in upholding the CTA ruling.

The BIR, through the Office of the Solicitor General immediately took the case to the Supreme Court seeking its reversal.

However, the SC said that such decision to immediately take the case to the high court is premature. It said a motion for reconsideration should have been first filed before the CTA.

According to the high tribunal, the omission “was a gross violation of Section 1, Rule 65 of the Rules of Court which authorizes the petition for certiorari to be filed only when there is no other plain, speedy and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law.”

“Procedural rules should be treated with utmost respect and due regard mainly because they have been crafted and designed to ensure the prompt adjudication of cases to remedy the worsening problem of delay in the resolution of rival claims and in the administration of justice,” the SC said.

Even assuming there was no procedural defect, the SC still ruled that the CTA “did not act capriciously or whimsically in absolving [respondent Arroyo] of the charges.” Rey E. Requejo

ILOCOS Norte Gov. Imee Marcos has rallied local governments to implement direct interventions such as providing fertilizers and seeds to farmers while buying their produce and selling these at pop-up stores to help keep prices of rice low and ensure ample supply of the grain.

“Local government units are the front liners in the war against high prices of basic goods, including rice. LGUs play a major role in securing cheap and steady supply of essential products. We can help keep prices low at the grassroots level,” said Marcos, the only incumbent local executive running for senator in the 2019 midterm polls.

“In Ilocos Norte, we have been able to keep prices of rice at an affordable P27 per kilo in the poorest areas in the province. In some parts of the country, rice prices have shot up to as much as P55 to P57 per kilo—way higher than the prevailing prices in Ilocos Norte,” she added.

Marcos said LGUs can replicate the efforts in her province and roll out Kadiwa pop-up stores to sell heavily discounted basic goods, including the Filipino staple food.

“I am a GI (Genuine Ilocano) so I really get mad when prices of basic goods spiral out of control—and that is what is happening now. Basic goods are no longer affordable,” she said.

“Because of interventions from our provincial government, we have successfully maintained low prices of basic goods. For the poorest of our people, food accounts for almost 60 percent of their income. Price increases really have an adverse effect on their income, on their cost of living, unless we help tide them over,” she said. Rey E. Requejo

Sandiganbayan junks Tuason’s plea on pork barrel scam

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan has turned down the appeal of pork barrel scam state witness Ruby Tuason for a review of her PP900-million Malampaya fund scam in a bid to get her qualified to become a state witness under the government’s witness protection program.

In a minute resolution issued by the anti-graft court’s Third Division, it said Tuason’s motion was baseless.

“While the prosecution did not object to the subject motion and simply submitted its resolution to the sound discretion of the court, the same is inconsequential because the rules and prevailing jurisprudence expressly dictate that the prosecution is the proper party to initiate the said process,” it said.

The court said Tuason’s motion was akin to a motion to remove her as an accused in the case.

Tuason earlier asked the Sandiganbayan for a leave of court to urge the Ombudsman to reevaluate her WPP coverage and find out if her status as a state witness covers all cases outside the pork barrel scam.

But the anti-graft court said any move on the immunity of Tuason must emanate from the prosecution as Section 17, Rule 119 of the Revised Rules of Court provides.

The resolution also stated the Sandiganbayan cannot interfere with the functions of the Ombudsman whether to grant or deny the the immunity of a state witness.

Imelda posts P300k bail for graft cases

ELECTRONIC RAFFLE. Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon looks at the result of electronic raffle for the order of listing in the ballot for party-list candidates during proceedings at the Commission on Elections main office in Intramuros, Manila.

Norman Cruz

REP. Imelda Marcos of Ilocos Norte on Wednesday posted P300,000 bail for her provisional liberty while pending appeal of her conviction on seven counts of graft.

The antigraft court earlier convicted the former first lady of graft for using her position in the Cabinet of her husband Ferdinand and her being member of the then Batasang Pambansa to maintain bank accounts in Switzerland.

She deposited P300,000 in addition to the legal fees that the court imposed.

Earlier, Marcos posted a separate P150,000 bail that the court imposed in exchange for not being detained for not attending the promulgation of the decision of the graft case against her.

Marcos, 89, said her “multiple organ infirmities” prevented her from attending the promulgation but later on said she was not aware of the schedule of the proceeding.

Marcos had decided to withdraw her gubernatorial bid in 2019 following her conviction. Her grandson Matthew Marcos Manotoc, will run in her stead.

Her daughter Imee is running for senator; while her only son Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has a pending protest against Vice President Leni Robredo who defeated him by a small margin in the 2016 elections. Maricel V. Cruz

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Why I am a journalist TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

IN 1985, WHEN the country was deep in trouble as a result of the assassination of former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., and when investors thought it best to keep their money abroad, I too entertained thoughts to go abroad with my family.

I also recall that my former publisher at the Philippines Herald, Ken Macker, told me that if I ever wanted to work in the United States, I could do so because he would be able to find a job for me.

At that time I was an editorial writer for the Herald. I also had my own column which was simply called “Opinion.” This was after my stint as business editor.

I have always wanted to make a difference.

My wife and I were exploring our options. Our oldest son Vic was working as a manager in some LA hotels. My daughter Nina was also working in a hotel, in New York. My son Eric had just finished his MBA in New Hampshire and was working at a financial institution.

It was only my youngest son Nicky who had refused to study abroad.

After the Aquino assassination, things in the Philippines got so bad that many of my friends went to the US in pursuit of a better life.

When I called Macker and told him I want to go to the US, he told me to wait for a week or so. After a week, he said he had found a job for me at the San Francisco Chronicle and I was to be paid $2500 monthly. I said I would think about it.

My wife and I agonized over the thought of my leaving her and our

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

youngest son. I decided to stay. I felt that the country needed me, a journalist, at its worst time.

I thanked Macker for his help but said I could not leave my family.

The rest is history, as they say.

I soon became vice president of the Loyola Group of Companies, and even then I continued to write columns for various publications.

That was until Rod Reyes and I cofounded Manila Standard in 1987. *** I have always been an idealist. I say this after spending the best years of my life at the old Ateneo de Manila ruins of Padre Faura. I finished ny Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Humanities. And then I took up law at the Philippine Law School.

Believe it or not, I even entertained the idea of being a priest. I wanted to do more for others.

But when I volunteered to assist the Mindaao Cross, I met the love of my life, Miss Trinidad Kapunan Capistrano. I forgot my priesthood dreams and married her after a long courtship. She graduated from UP. As an Ateneo graduate, I wanted to make a difference no matter how small—hence, I studied law. But being a lawyer didn’t excite me much, after all. I then decided I would be a journalist after having some experience in Cotabato with my best friend, Rudy Tupas.

When I became a junior partner at the Salonga & Ordonez Law Offices, I had occasion to have breakfast at the old Botica Bois where newspapermen, politicians and businessmen congregated.

It was at this time, after I got married, that I met my friend Jose Prollamente, then head of the Jai Alai, owned and operated by the late Vicente Madrigal. When he found out I was jobless, and when he heard of my two-year stint at The Mindanao Cross, he offered to help me get a job at the Herald.

Prollamente then took me to Madrigal’s office, who called his editor in chief and told him to find a place for me. It was a stroke of good

V

Shattering mindsets

IOLENCE against women, in its many forms, has long ceased to be a private matter.

It is indeed a public issue, a national concern, that is no longer confined to the walls of the home.

We are now in the thick of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women, observed from Nov. 25 to Dec. 12. According to the Philippine Commission on Women, the campaign expresses support to the government’s goal to protect the human rights of women and to address all forms of genderbased violence.

The numbers from the National Demographic and Health Survey paint an alarming scenario. In 2017, one in four—26 percent—of the 11,558 ever-married Filipino women aged 15 to 49 surveyed has experienced

physical, sexual or emotional violence committed by their husband or partner.

Statistics of the police, social workers and health workers only reflect cases that are actually reported to them.

The theme of the commemoration is “VAW-free community starts with me”— emphasizing that everyone, not only the victims and their childlren, has a stake in combating domestic violence.

But beyond calendar commemorations, people must realize that violence against women—and the culture of silence and passive acceptance that comes with it—has deepseated roots that must first be acknowledged before they can be addressed.

They come from traditional ways of thinking that, for instance, violence is a way to “discipline” women, or that it is a wife’s duty to tolerate her partner’s gross behavior, that marriages are religiously ordained and thus inviolable at

all costs, or that sex is an obligation that must be performed on demand.

These mindsets may have been acceptable decades ago, so it comes as a shock that acts of violence continue to happen today, even in the most progressive of communities and families.

That women must be “sheltered” and “protected” from their abusers is also an outdated view. The best way the larger community can help is to empower women to know better, to know their rights and stand up for themselves, and to realize they have options and that they are not irrevocably bound to their abusers.

The campaign lasts for 18 days, but every day is an opportunity to enlighten somebody—a friend, an acquaintance, a total stranger—that there is absolutely no justification for violence and that it must never be tolerated, not even from those they love.

Turn to A5

Books, bayong, and aswang: The 37th National Book Awards AN ELOQUENT and talented artist in a bayong mask stole the show and walked away with two trophies at the 37thNational Book Awards night held Nov. 24 at the National Museum of the Philippines.

Emiliana Kampilan donned a woven straw bag, which had black meshcovered holes over the eyes and mouth, to receive the awards for Best Graphic Literature and Best Book Design for ‘Dead Balagtas, Tomo 1: Mga Sayaw ng Dagat at Lupa.’

The National Book Awards are an annual recognition ceremony established in 1982 by the Manila Critics Circle. Beginning 2008, according to the organizers, the MCC partnered with the National Book Development Board to “institutionalize and co-administer” the NBA “to better honor Philippine publishers, authors, and book designers.”

Dead Balagtas “inspires you from cover to cover,” said NBDB-appointed judge for design Daniel Matutina, in his citation for the book. “It touches on myth, culture, social realities, class, isolation, familial ties, and identity— with all stories tied together by geography. Its storytelling is elevated by illustrations, lettering, visual design, layout, and production.”

Kampilan’s ground-breaking work also won this year’s Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award in a ceremony held at the University of the Philippines’ Writers Night last Nov. 23.

Emceed by internationally published author Dean Francis Alfar, who is also an MCC-appointed judge, the 37th NBA proceeded briskly and with much

humor. Alfar decreed a strict one-minute rule for thank-you speeches, which had some awardees talking very fast or making it short and sweet, as did Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, who only said, “Maraming salamat po,” before walking off-stage, to the huge amusement of the audience.

Dr. Pantoja-Hidalgo, director of the University of Santo Tomas’ Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies, won the award for Best Book of Essays in English for ‘The Thing with Feathers: My Book of Memories.’

Dr. Jose Wendell P. Capili, NBDBappointed permanent judge for essays, says the book is a “seamless weaving of the author’s personal nar-

We look forward to more and better books

by Filipinos, of Filipinos, and for Filipinos and the world. ratives into a cohesive whole. It is personal history, but it is also Philippine literary and social history.”

The Best Translated Book award was given to a group of translators and Hanunu’o Mangyan poets for “Bamboo Whispers,” a compilation of poetr y of the Mangyan. The syllabic poems, called ‘ambahan,’ are usually inscribed on bamboo in ‘surat Mangyan,’ a pre-Hispanic script.

Anya Postma, accepting the award in behalf of the group, said their book is their “gift to the Filipinos.”

The Best Anthology in Filipino

Turn to A5

Mutual benefit should guide PH-China ties ABOUT TOWN ERNESTO M. HILARIO WE HAVE been fortunate to take a close look at China in two separate visits—in April 2017 and in June this year.

In these two media visits—the first took us from Guangzhou to various cities in the southwest and ended up in Shanghai, the second from Beijing and on to Harbin city near the border with Russia—we marveled both at the scale and pace of economic progress the country has been making since the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949.

To think that from the ’50s to the ’60s

and mid-’70s, China had witnessed both political upheavals and economic setbacks. It managed to surmount all this to emerge as the second-biggest economy in the world today after the United States.

resident Jaime FlorCruz, a former CNN Beijing Bureau chief and now Peking University professor, views our current ties with our neighbor to the west.

Take the controversy over the issue of joint exploration and development of oil and gas resources in the West Philippine Sea. While there are those who say that we should not enter into such an arrangement as this would Bilateral ties have negate our legal victory in the Permarkedly improved in manent Court of Arbitration in 2016, there’s also the view, as articulated by the past two years.

FlorCruz, that the idea of joint exploration is “very complicated” as it involves legal, territorial and soverThat China is now an economic giant eignty issues. issu and at the same time a military power “We really need the oil and gas. Our is a reality that we must learn to live oil and gas supply is fast depleted and with. That much is how longtime China Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Romel J. Mendez Art Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018

Charter Change: A different perspective OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ THE Senate recently announced that it is setting aside Charter change due to lack of time. The Senate expressed no urgency about Charter change.

I, on the other hand, approach the issue of Charter change from the perspective of timeliness.

Previous administrations considered amending the Constitution and formed consultative bodies to conduct relevant studies. These efforts did not gain much momentum. These efforts were halted by violent, and perhaps unfounded accusations of an attempt by politicians to perpetuate themselves in power by changing

constitutionally-mandated term lim- ago no longer exist. its for elected officials.

It is time to revisit the Constitution.

We must determine whether its provisions are sustainable and can stand firm as our nation is continuously adapting to an evolving, connected world. For our nation to progress with These debates are such changes, we must innovate not timely. just our tools and processes, but even the system in which we are running.

We should table for debate the economic provisions, allowing foreign participation in nationalized indusIdeally, a Constitution is lasting and tries, and if our nation will progress permanent. The 1987 Constitution was under this present form of governwritten and passed under conditions ment. We should ask, does our present that undermine the possibility of per- form of government, and how it is run, manence. The nation was in violent achieve the goals of the Local Governand traumatic transition. But now, ment Code? To my mind, the issue here 2018, the transition is over. The con- is not whether these debates are urgent. ditions prevailing more than 30 years These debates are timely.

The making of a PNP officer EVER since the passage of R.A 6975, also known as the Department of Interior Act, on Dec. 13, 1990, the principal source of police officers have been graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy.

The PNPA was established on June 12, 1978 pursuant to Ministry of Defense Memorandum Order No. 33. Its headquarters is Camp Castañeda in Silang, Cavite. The institution just celebrated its 40th founding anniversary.

The whole rationale for the establishment of the school was for the police—known as PC/INP at that time—to produce good quality officers that will lead the police organization into the future. This is why the school’s motto is “Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow.”

It originally offered a two-year course with the first students coming from the enlisted ranks of the Integrated National Police and the Philippine Constabulary. The first batch graduated in 1980. Later, a full fouryear course was introduced. This was done after much debate within the PC/INP leadership of the merits and demerits of a four-year program. It was the late PC Brig General Cicero Campos who was largely responsible for the four-year program winning the debate.

The importance of the academy became more pronounced after the passage of R.A 6975 which prohibited the entry of Philippine Military Academy graduates to the PNP. The last PMA to be accepted to the PNP was the class of 1992. Very soon, by around 2022 or 2023, no PMA graduates will be left in the PNP. By that time, all the leaders of the PNP will either be graduates of the PNPA or those that got into the PNP through what is known as lateral entry.

Right from the start however, there were problems that remain

Books,...

From A4

award went to ‘May Tiktik sa Bubong, May Sigbin sa Silong,’ fiction, poetry, and essays on the ‘aswang’ in the national imagination. The book was compiled and edited by Palanca- and NBA-award-winning author Allan N. Derain.

Aside from their place in myth and superstition, aswang, which can take many physical forms, also “represent opposing or contrary histories, and a simple explanation of a battle between light and darkness does not encompass its narratives” (from the call for submissions in 2014: “kinakatawan din ng aswang ang mga nagsasalungatang kasaysayan kung kaya’t hindi simpleng

Why...

From A4

luck because the then-business editor was going on leave of absence to take the Bar. The editor-in-chief Felix Gonzales told me he did not like Ateneans but since I was recommended by Don Vicente, he pointed to an empty desk and told me to begin working the following day.

I’ve been a journalist for almost seven decades now.

In the eyes of the PNP however, since it does not have any control of the two institutions, good and competent officers cannot be assigned or detailed to the PSC because these officers are needed in the PNP. This is not to say that there are no competent officers detailed to the PSC because there are. A good example of this is the number of tactical officers detailed to the PNPA. There are only six or seven tactical officers assigned to the PNPA instead of the normal complement of 13 or 14. This is obviously not enough to supervise the whole corps of cadets and perhaps explain the shocking hazing practices developing in the school.

There needs to be a compromise between the PSC and the PNP. Fortunately, there seems to be some kind of movement in that direction. The PSC is currently headed by my friend Ricardo de Leon who is a member of PMA class of 1971. There is also another former PNP officer in the person of Ferdinando Sevilla who is a member of PMA class of 1984 who must be considered a con-

temporary of the current PNP leadership who belong to PMA class 1986 and 1985 and can therefore speak the same language. Both gentleman are reform-minded and Ding Sevilla who is Vice President for Academics can do a lot to help Dick de Leon bridge that divide that has existed between the PNP and PSC. When there was no or minimal communication between the two institutions in the past, maybe there will be this time.

There is really no other choice but to cooperate to be able to produce good, competent and well-rounded PNP officers to bring the PNP up to speed. Failure will only doom the PNP to perpetual mediocrity.

How could this cooperation be achieved? First is that the PNP must agree to assign enough competent and good officers to PSC. In return, the PSC must also agree to allow the PNP to contribute training concepts that it thinks are necessary in the development of PNP officers. This will allow the PNP to suggest for the injection of doctrines that it believes are more aligned to its current operational and administrative thinking. In other words the end product which is the new PNP officer or rookie cop is going to be more complete. This makes a lot of sense because if the move of the PNP to amend the law and transfer the control of the PNPA and PNPTC to the PNP succeeds, costly transition problems can be avoided or at least minimized.

There is a saying that the police like the military is always in need of reform. This however has been difficult because of long-standing traditions that are simply too hard to hurdle. But this is the kind of problem that tests the mettle of true and great leaders.

This is therefore an opportunity for the PNP leadership under the stewardship of Oscar Albayalde and the PSC under Dick de Leon to achieve something important that can cement their legacies in the PNP for generations to come. Greatness, after all, is achieving something at the sacrifice of one’s own interest.

away lang ng liwanag at dilim ang puno’t dulo ng kaniyang naratibo”).

Derain’s acceptance speech, read in his behalf by writer Rowena Festin, ends memorably with, “Mabuhay ang mga aswang. Mabuhay ang wikang Filipino. Mabuhay ang panitikang Filipino.”

MCC chairman Ruel S. de Vera lauded the quality of books published in 2017: “The winners truly do represent the best in their fields of specialization.

It stands as a testament to the tireless efforts of all those involved in the country’s publishing industry that the selection was both difficult and rewarding for us.”

NBDB chairman Flor Marie Sta. Romana-Cruz said of the event: “There are those who might be wondering why we still choose to celebrate books with

full pomp and circumstance in a country that seems more receptive of other forms of media…Through the NBA, we champion the creation of excellent books that have the force and potential to compel readers toward free thought and speech, literature that serves to amplify the diversity of Filipino voices.”

The full list of winners may be seen at the NBDB website.

Warm congratulations to the winners of the 37thNBA, and kudos to the MCC, NBDB, judges, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to ensure the event’s success. We look forward to more and better books by Filipinos, of Filipinos, and for Filipinos and the world. *** Dr. Ortuoste likes reading, writing, but not ‘rithmetic. FB and Twitter: @ DrJennyO

*** Why did I not practice law? Why did I become a journalist?

I realized I could make a difference by being a journalist. I am an idealist —my wife tells me that all the time. I want to make the Philippines a better place to live in.

I have seen history in the making.

I have covered 10 presidents and walked the corridors of power. This is why I am sad that Filipinos seem to be losing their priorities.

For example, we elect leaders just

because they are popular. We forget that we should elect those with probity and integrity.

We even elect leaders who do not lead moral lives!

I have never seen so many killings in my life as I am seeing now. Worse, the people seem to be see, hear and say nothing.

Still, I prefer not to dwell in the darkness. I would always want to light a candle.

unresolved to this day. Although the PNPA and the PNP Training Center are both under the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the PNP does not exert any inf luence or have any control over the two institutions even though the entire training cadre personnel are seconded from the PNP. The bone of contention is that since the PNP is the recipient of the products of the Public Safety College, the PNP must at least provide enough competent officers so that the quality of training in both the PNPA and PNP Training Center can be brought to par.

Greatness, after all, is achieving something at the sacrifice of one’s own interest.

www.emiljurado.weebly.com

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Land reform has eroded economies of scale IN A show of concern for the economic situation of this country’s farmers, the proponents of the newly passed Rice Tariffication Act provided in that piece of legislation for the allocation of a fixed percentage of the derived revenues to a fund for financing farmers’ acquisition of mechanical equipment.

Mentioned in the approved bill are tractors, threshers and driers.

The pro-tariffication legislators must be pleased with themselves, thinking that they have struck a mighty blow for the mechanization of Philippine agriculture. During the course of the debates on the proposed Tariffication Act, legislators often used the words “mechanize” and “mechanization” when speaking about the level of productive efficiency of Philippine farms. Giving Filipino farmers access to mechanical equipment like tractors, threshers and driers would, they said, help close the wide gap between the per-hectare yields of Philippine rice farms, which on the average produce only half as much rice per hectare as Thai farms. With the higher yields resulting from mechanized farming, inexpensive-rice shortages would become things of the past.

Unfortunately, in their professed desire to provide assistance to Filipino farmers, the representatives and senators forgot one very important fact: CARP (the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) had chopped up the large- and mediumsize farms of this country into lots of little pieces of agricultural land. In the process, the soundness of introducing mechanized farming and the prospect of achieving economies of scale—have been eroded.

Buying a tractor and employing other kinds of agricultural equipment is a sound business decision for a Filipino farmer who has (or had, in the preCARP era) a farm of, say, 50 hectares or more, but it makes no sense for a present-day farmer tilling, say, 10 hectares or less. The reason: Economies of scale are provided only with largescale or medium-scale operations. The monthly amortization payments on a tractor or thresher cannot be covered by a small farm’s output. The cost of

Mutual...

From A4

we need more. So for pragmatic reasons, we should be open to exploring the possibilities of doing it,” he pointed out in a recent TV interview.

FlorCruz believes that while the Hague ruling represents a “good legal and moral victory” for the Philippines, we should “take that out of the front and center of our relationship with China. We do not concede that it’s China’s, we still insist on the territory that it’s ours. Meanwhile, let’s explore the possibilities.”

The pragmatic approach appears to be working, from all indications.

In his remarks at the reception to mark the 69th Founding Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua observed that 2018 witnessed the sustained growth in Philippines-China relations, with the leaders of the two countries already having met at least five times on bilateral and multilateral occasions. The state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in late November further strengthened bilateral ties, with no less than 29 agreements signed during the occasion.

Since the second half of 2016, the two countries have revived a series of dialogue and consultation mechanisms in such areas as foreign affairs, defense, energy, economy and trade, agriculture, f isheries, science and technology. There have been also increasing interactions and exchanges between local governments, media agencies, universities, think tanks and cultural institutions.

The Philippines and China have also maintained good economic ties.

Last year, trade volume reached $50 billion, which made China the Philippines’ No. 1 trading partner and import origin, and the fourth largest export market. Also in 2017, additional investments from China reached $53.84 million, representing a yearon-year increase of 67 percent. In the first five months of this year, China poured another investment of $165

operating a t ractor —f uel, maintenance cost and the salar y of the operator —needs to be spread over many hectares; this is not possible with a small, CARP-allotted farm.

Moreover, a prospective lender to a mechanizing farmer—say, a rural or a development bank—will be reluctant to give credit to a small farmer for purchases of mechanical equipment, fearing that his small farm will not be able to generate income sufficient to cover the amortization payments. Because of the scale of his operation, the small farmer is a problematic borrower.

A tractor is not a sound—or bankable— proposition with the small holdings into which CARP has chopped up this country’s cultivable land.

It is music to the ears hearing that Philippine farms should be mechanized. But that is not the reality on the ground. Agricultural mechanization must be capable of generating economies of scale if it is to be financially workable, and economies of scale are possible only from sufficiently large farms. A tractor is not a sound—or bankable—proposition with the small holdings into which CARP has chopped up this country’s cultivable land.

The reader should not get me wrong. I am not against long-time tenants being given, by law, the opportunity to gain ownership of the land that they have long tilled, not at all. All I am saying is that Philippine agricultural mechanization cannot just be wished, as many representatives and senators have been doing. The postCARP realities on the ground have to be recognized. And those realities render the idea of mechanized Philippine agriculture unrealistic.

Clearly, the Rice Tariffication Act’s proponents forgot about CARP when they spoke about agricultural mechanization. million into the country.

China is also assisting the administration’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program through outright grants, commercial loans and loans under official development assistance. So far, two bridges over Pasig River and the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project have already started. The two sides are pushing forward more big infrastructure projects, such as New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam, Subic-Clark Railway, Philippine National Railways South Long Haul and the Safe Philippines, with total volume surpassing US$ 7 billion.

The Philippines is also benefiting from increased tourist arrivals from China.

In the first seven months in 2018, more than 760,000 Chinese tourists visited the country, representing a 40-percent yearon-year increase. More than 1.5-million Chinese tourists are expected to visit the Philippines this year, with the tourist influx expected to generate revenues of more than P32 billion.

Relations between the Philippines and China have deteriorated in recent years because of conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea. But the two countries agreed to initiate dialogue through the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism and Joint Coast Guard Committee, and explored practical cooperation in various areas, such as fisheries, maritime affairs, joint search and rescue, marine scientific research and environmental protection.

What the two sides are doing at this point is to properly manage differences in views through diplomacy and dialogue and to focus on cooperation in various fields of endeavor.

With the Duterte administration choosing to emphasize common interests rather than differences, bilateral ties have markedly improved in the past two years. For as long as we deal with the Chinese government on the basis of mutual benefit and mutual advantage, we can expect better prospects for trade and investments and development cooperation in the years ahead. ernhil@yahoo.com

A6

News

thursday, december 6, 2018

‘EO not needed for Panglao and El Nido’

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte need not issue an executive order for the rehabilitation of Panglao Island in Bohol and El Nido in Palawan, the Palace said on Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Duterte’s Cabinet members had agreed that an EO was no longer necessary for the government to rehabilitate the tourist destinations.

“On the rehabilitation of Panglao Island in Bohol and El Nido in Palawan, the Cabinet agreed that there is no need to issue an Executive Order,” Panelo said in a statement Wednesday.

The Cabinet members reached the said agreement a week after Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the government has ordered a swimming ban in two beaches in both Panglao and El Nido.

The Tourism chief added the Alona Beach in Panglao and Buena Suerte Beach in El Nido would not be allowed to swim for tourists and locals due to a high level of coliform, stressing the ban on the two beaches would be in effect “until the coliform levels are acceptable.”

Coliform is a type of bacteria that comes from human or animal feces.

It can cause diarrhea and other water-borne diseases that can be fatal to children.

She explained the coliform levels in the two beaches had reached beyond the acceptable coliform count of 100 most probable number.

Puyat clarified the imposed ban was part of the government’s efforts to rehabilitate the beaches of El Nido and Panglao.

Palace believes 3rd telco bidding ‘transparent’ PRESIDENTIAL Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Wednesday the process for the third telco player was transparent and fair, amid accusations by the disqualified bidders that there were irregularities in the selection process.

“There was a transparent, fair, public and open selection process, done in accordance with laws, as well as with pertinent rules and regulations,” Panelo said.

“Complying with the legal and constitutional requirements, Mislatel won over the two other bidders. Impositions in favor of the government and the end users have been made such as the requirement of performance bonds to ensure sound performance by the new player,” he added.

Meanwhile, because of the continued protests of the losing bidders, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he was considering to push for the amendment of the procurement law where losing bidders could no longer delay the government’s procurement of goods and services.

On Nov. 19, the Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company (Mislatel)— composed of the Dennis Uy-owned Udenna Corp. and subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Corp. with foreign partner China Telecommunications Corp.— was confirmed as the country’s new telco provider.

The confirmation was welcomed by a grateful public who had long wanted for even just a third telco player. Some officials, however, chose to ignore the affirmation from the public and has been inciting security fears despite repeated assurances from concerned government agencies.

JOB HUNTING.

Persons with Disability on Wednesday apply for a job during the Jobs and Opportunities Fair 2018 for PWD at the Quezon City Hall grounds.

Manny Palmero

House OKs proposed Congestion Crisis Act

By Maricel V. Cruz

V

OTING 188-8, the House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the proposed Traffic and Congestion Crisis Act to address the traffic gridlock in Metro Manila and mega cities such as Metro Cebu and Davao City.

The House approved House Bill 6425 or the proposed Traffic and Congestion Crisis Act, which tasks Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade as traffic chief to simplify the country’s management of traffic and transportation and regulate the road use in metropolitan areas.

But Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, the chairman of the House committee on transportation, said the proposal might not be able to pass this 17th Congress due to lack of material time.

Sarmiento said the Senate was now preoccupied with the deliberations of the 2019 proposed P3.757-trillion national budget and the campaign season

had just started.

In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte asked Congress to grant him emergency powers to address the traffic congestion in major cities.

Under the House-approved version, the President through the secretary of DOTr as traffic chief shall be allowed to enter into negotiated contracts for priority projects for the construction, repair, restoration, rehabilitation, improvement or maintenance of critical infrastructure projects, facilities and any directly related procurement of goods and service.

The secretary of the DOTr shall have the power of supervision and control

over the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority; Cebu Coordinating Council, as created under the bill; Philippine National Police-Traffic Management Group; Land Transportation Office; Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board; Road Board; all other executive agencies, bureaus and offices with roles pertaining to land transportation regulation; and the Davao traffic administrator.

The bill provides the traffic chief, as the alter ego of the President, with power of supervision over all local government units in these metropolitan areas.

The traffic chief shall formulate, coordinate, and monitor policies, standards, programs and projects to rationalize existing public transport operations, infrastructure requirements, the use of thoroughfares, safe movement of persons and goods, the administration and implementation of all traffic enforcement operations, traffic engineering services, and traffic education programs.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE.

Philippine Constitution Association president and Lakas-CMD Party president Martin Romualdez delivers his Christmas message during the Christmas Fellowship of the Philippine Constitution Association Tuesday night at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City. Romualdez thanked the officiers and members of the Philconsa for their continuous support and sacrifices to make the Philconsa the catalyst of governance.

Ver Noveno

Pag-IBIG Fund reports increase in housing aid PAG-IBIG Fund extended half a billion pesos or P500.43 million in cash loans to 23,153 borrowing overseas Filipino worker-members (OFW-members) from January to October this year, posting a 228-percent increase from the same period in 2017’s P152.69 million in cash loans to 6,731 OFW-borrowers.

For OFW-members’ housing needs, Pag-IBIG Fund released P12.95 billion to 12,152 OFW families from January to September 2018.

Speaking on behalf of Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Acmad Rizaldy Moti, Deputy CEO for Member Services Cluster Alexander Hilario Aguilar reported the agency’s accomplishments at its 2018 OFW Day and Fund Coordinators General Assembly.

“Our OFW-members have a steady partner in Pag-IBIG Fund. We support President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s social development program through our cash and housing loans. Pag-IBIG Fund also ensures that our housing programs are aligned with the BALAI Filipino (Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable, and Inclusive Filipino Communities) program led by Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, the Chairperson of the Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council [HUDCC],” DCEO Aguilar said in a statement.

As of October 2018, Pag-IBIG Fund’s active OFW-members rose to 1,139,785 or 40 percent higher compared to only 816,128 last October 2017.

“Membership savings collections further went up to P2.26 billion in the first 10 months of the year, higher by 26 percent or P472 million more than the P1.78 billion collected for the same period in 2017. OFW-members saved P1.72 billion under Pag-IBIG 1 savings program, and P541 million under the voluntary Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (MP2) savings program,” Aguilar said.

Also at the event, Pag-IBIG Fund recognized its partners from government, non-government organizations and other private entities who supported the Fund’s programs for its OFW-members.

Smuggled food supplements seized LTFRB cancels entire Dimple Star bus fleet

By Joel E. Zurbano

GOVERNMENT agents seized a smuggled shipment of various food and drink supplements, and one time password devices in two separate operations last month at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Seized on Nov. 9 were 170 bottles of food supplements and two boxes of dietary drink supplements worth P400,000 at the NAIA bonded warehouse, officials said.

The imported goods lacked the required importation permit from the Food and Drug Administration under the Department of Health, they said.

The parcel which arrived on board Korean Air Flight No. KE621 yielded suspicious image upon x-ray scanning, prompting the on-duty Customs inspector to tag it with “X” mark for verification.

Upon physical examination, the authorities found hundred bottles of food and dietary supplements consigned to Dr. Vigilanda M. Solijun of Misamis Oriental. It was sent from California, USA by a certain Bernie F. Manansala.

Another baggage was intercepted, this time at the NAIA Terminal 3 on Nov. 16 from a passenger onboard the Cathay Pacific Flight No. CX907 after it was found to contain 58 pieces of OTP devices.

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has canceled the entire fleet of Dimple Star Bus Co. after it figured in road crashes that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.

The decision to cancel the entire fleet consisting of 11 franchises was made Tuesday after the LTFRB conducted deliberations following an incident wherein Dimple Star bus fell off a cliff in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro that left 19 people dead and 21 others injured last March.

“We are cancelling the franchise of the entire fleet of Dimple Star because of repetitive recklessness in their transport service. One death is already one too

many,” LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said in a statement on Wednesday.

Dimple Star Bus Co. has been involved in eight road crashes, including the fatal incident in Occidental Mindoro, which led to the deaths of more than 25 people and injuries of 134 others based on LTFRB records from 2011 to 2018.

In its decision, the Board said that Dimple Star was negligent in ensuring roadworthiness of its bus units and the safety of its passengers as manifested by its involvement in various road accidents.

“The units authorized to operate simply manifest the respondents as a PUB [public utility bus] operator who is con-

sistently irresponsible and unmindful of the safety and convenience of their passengers, thereby endangering public safety,” the decision read.

“The facts and circumstances which led to the numerous deaths and injuries could have been avoided had the respondent management should have been more responsible, diligent and cautious in the management and maintenance of the buses and professional supervision of its drivers and conductors, as well as faithful compliance with related laws, regulations and ordinances for the land transportation service, which were enacted for public safety and convenience,” it added. PNA

Sports

A7

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Pacers hand Boylen a losing start L

OS ANGELES—Myles Turner scored 18 points as the Indiana Pacers handed Jim Boylen a losing start with the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

Boylen took over the head coaching duties with the Bulls on Monday after Chicago fired Fred Hoiberg.

But the scale of the task facing Boylen was underscored by the Pacers in Indianapolis as the Bulls slipped to a 96-90 defeat.

The loss left Chicago with a 5-20 record, anchoring them firmly at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

The Pacers improved to 14-10 for the season, moving them into fifth place in the East, 5.5 games adrift of leaders Toronto.

As well as his double-digit points tally, Turner also chipped in with 11 rebounds and three assists.

The 22-year-old power forward, who also had five blocks, was given support

from Darren Collison, who had 23 points and eight assists.

Finnish forward Lauri Markkanen led the scoring for Chicago with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Boylen meanwhile praised his team’s character—but pointedly warned that fitness levels need to improve.

“I really like this team,” Boylen said.

“We competed. We battled. That’s a big, physical team. I’m disappointed we didn’t win. But I’m not discouraged. We showed grit.

“I’m really disappointed in our conditioning,” Boylen added. “It’s going to change.”

Elsewhere Tuesday, the Orlando Magic improved to 12-12 for the season with a 105-90 win over the Miami Heat in their Florida derby.

Aaron Gordon had 20 points with 13 rebounds for Orlando, one of six Magic players to finish in double figures.

Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross both had 19 points for Orlando.

Justise Winslow led the scoring for Miami with 14 points off the bench.

Miami veteran Dwyane Wade accused his team-mates of complacency following the defeat, which had followed consecutive wins over New Orleans and Utah.

“We just relaxed for some reason, like we got enough wins around here,” Wade said. “I thought our offense stunk.”

“I would rather play Golden State than Orlando because we don’t play with the same focus when we don’t play against a team we see on TV every night,” he added.

A miserable night for Miami also saw Hassan Whiteside leave the bench with 40.5 seconds remaining and head for

the locker room.

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra played down the signficance of Whiteside’s apparent tantrum.

“He’s probably extremely upset like we all are,” Spoelstra said afterward.

In Dallas, Mavericks ace Luka Doncic led the way in a 111-102 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Slovenian teenager Doncic also had three assists in the victory. Damian Lillard weighed in with 33 points for Portland, who fell to 13-11 after the loss.

In Salt Lake City, Donovan Mitchell had 20 points and Rudy Gobert 18 as the Utah Jazz routed the San Antonio Spurs by a score of 139-105.

In the night’s other game, Phoenix’s miserable campaign continued with a 122-105 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

The Suns are now propping up the Western Conference with a 4-20 record, the worst record in the NBA. AFP

Sta. Lucia fights Petron, eyes upset win in Superliga Games Today

(Batangas City Sports Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs Smart 7 p.m. – Petron vs Sta. Lucia

BATANGAS CITY—Pulling off an earthshaking upset will be Sta. Lucia’s ultimate objective when it clashes with Petron in the sudden-death quarterfinals of the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Thursday at the Batangas Sports Coliseum.

Action starts at 7 p.m. with the Lady Realtors looking to spoil the Blaze Spikers’ march to the crown in this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, Mikasa, Senoh, Asics, Mueller, UCPB Gen and Bizooku with Genius Sports as technical partner.

Also shooting for a spot in the semifinals are Generika-Ayala and Smart, who will collide in the 4:15 p.m. opening match of this season-ending conference that also has ESPN5, Hyper HD and Aksyon TV as broadcast partners.

After being hobbled by injuries that sidelined Filipino-American spiker MJ Philips and Chin Basas for the remainder of the season, the Lady Realtors crashed in all of their 10 matches to finish last in the preliminaries and book a quarterfinal duel with unbeaten Petron.

But head coach George Pascua challenged his wards to come up with a strong fight not only to change their fortune but also block the Blaze Spikers’ bid to duplicate a clean sweep of the tournament.

“We don’t want to end up winless,” said Pascua, whose crew bowed to Petron in nail-biting fashion in their previous meeting, 18-25, 25-27, 17-25.

“I told the players to give their all.

We don’t want this to be our last game.

We will play our hearts out no matter who’s on the other end of the court.”

Petron is looking to rewrite history by coming up with a sweep, a feat it achieved in 2015 with the core of Dindin Manabat, Rachel Anne Daquis and Aby Marano on the lead.

Interestingly, Pascua was the head coach of that record-setting squad with incumbent Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos and Foton deputy Edjett Mabbayad serving as his assistant coaches.

Head Coach Jim Boylen of the Chicago Bulls leads a huddle during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. AFP

Cavaliers try to rebound, take on DA Food Masters TWO-TIME champion Armed Forces of the Philippines tries to bounce back from a shock defeat to Judiciary when it faces Department of Agriculture today in the 7th UNTV Cup at the JCSGO gym in Cubao.

The AFP Cavaliers and the DA Food Masters clash at 12:30 p.m. with the former determined to ease the pain of a 95-93 defeat to the Judiciary Magis last week that ended a six-game winning streak since the first round elims.

AFP, however, needs to play cautiously since it is up against a team badly in need of win in the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.

After winning three of their first four games, it was downhill for the Food Masters since then, losing their last three games to drop to the cellar at 3-5 in the company of the Magis.

Despite the defeat, the Cavaliers are still in contention for two

Games Today

(JCSGO gym, Cubao) 12:30 p.m. – Agriculture vs AFP 2 p.m. – PITC vs Malacañang-PSC 3:30 p.m. – NHA vs Senate

outright semis berth along with Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission (5-1) and Philippine National Police (6-2).

The Palace Kamao also shoot for their 6th win when they duel with the PITC Global Traders at 2 p.m.

PITC is locked for third to fourth places with Senate and NHA at 4-3.

The Senate Defenders and the NHA Builders part ways at 3:30 p.m. in the event offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.

The Defenders are coming off an 84-76 win over the Food Masters that ended a three-game losing run.

Standings: AFP (6-1), Malacañang-PSC (5-1), PNP (6-2), NHA (4-3), Senate (4-3), PITC (4-3), Agriculture (3-5), Judiciary (3-5)

Aloysius Taplah hopes to lead the PITC Traders to their fifth straight win when they go against the Malacañang-PSC Kamao today in the 7th UNTV Cup at the JCSGO gym in Cubao.

Festive Milo Marathon Finals slated on Sunday THE National MILO Marathon is set to conclude its 42nd season on a high note as the country’s biggest and longestrunning footrace will hold its National Finals in Laoag City on Dec. 9 (Sunday).

Around 12,000 runners from different age groups and race categories—3K, 5K, 10K, 21K, and 42K National Finals —will hit the streets starting at Laoag Centennial Arena. Of the participants, more than 800 elite runners are qualified for the season’s national finals.

Throughout the season, the National MILO Marathon has underscored the life lessons that runners can learn from joining the event. It’s ongoing theme, “Magsama-sama, Tumakbo, Matuto”, was driven by values such as discipline, resilience, and determination, which runners can take with them in their journey in life. The culminating race marks the conclusion of the 10-leg qualifiers of the event’s latest cycle.

Festive Finale For the first time, Ilocos Norte’s capital, Laoag hosts the much-awaited finale in commemoration of their Provincial bicentennial anniversary celebration. MILO, along with the local governments of Laoag City and Ilocos Norte Province will bring forth exciting activities that will feature the rich cultural heritage of Ilocanos and Laoageños, such as showcasing traditional performances and serving Ilocano dishes, that aim to give the participants a unique and enjoyable experience.

Along the thoroughfares, runners can look forward to marveling at the beauty of Ilocos and Laoag, as the race route goes along several tourist spots of the city and province, including the Laoag sand dunes in some of the long distance categories.

The Race to 2019 SEA Games The 42K event winners of the 42nd National MILO Marathon will be crowned the MILO Marathon King and Queen. Both winners will each be awarded with prizes and a chance to compete in an international race in 2019, as earlier announced by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association during the kickoff of the series last July.

On top of the rewards, this year’s MILO Marathon King and Queen will be the runners to beat for aspiring contenders for the 2019 SEA Games.

With the prestigious prize on the line, stiff competition is brewing among the local elite runners, including five-time reigning MILO Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabal, who is fixed on claiming her sixth winning streak and break the women’s time record. Reigning MILO Marathon King Joerge Andrade is determined to retain the crown against fierce competitors and fellow running heavyweights Eduardo “Vertek” Buenavista, Eric Panique, and Jeson Agravante who will also be joining in the 42K event.

Women elites Christabel Martes, Luisa Raterta, and Christine Hallasgo will also vie for the coveted title. James Talla (Kenya), Margaret Njuguna (Kenya), and Bernard Bosuben (Ethiopia) are among the foreign elite runners gunning for the open category.

The MILO Marathon King and Queen will each receive a cash prize of P150,000, a watch from TAG Heuer, and Strideline performance socks from Sock Society. If the King and Queen also win the open category, they will be awarded the corresponding cash prize of P150,000 on top of their prize. An invisible time barrier is also set for the race, and if the King and Queen are able to break this, an extra P100,000 will be awarded. A P50,000 bonus will also be rewarded to the first runner who breaks the men’s course record (2:18:53) of Eduardo Buenavista or the women’s course record (2:48:00) of Mary Joy Tabal. A whopping total of PHP 450,000 each awaits the champions.

Bataan stretches winning streak to 14 NU BULLPUP HONORED. National

University Bullpup John Kyle Olazo proudly displays his three trophies (Best Slugger, Tournament Most Valuable Player, Best Hitter) during the awards’ ceremony of the 2018 Season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Juniors’ Baseball Championship.

In photo are NU team manager Wopsy Zamora (right) and coach Rock de Guzman.

BACOOR—Bataan survived one of its toughest games away from home by nipping host team Bacoor in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Strike Gymnasium Tuesday night.

The Risers came back from 20 points down in the first half before getting their bearings back and closing out strong all the way to post an 84-75 triumph over the Strikers.

It was the 14th straight win by the Risers, who continued to hold on to solo lead of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

Bataan improved to 14-1 to gain enough cushion against the other powerhouse teams hanging on its coattails.

The loss was the seventh in 15 games for the Strikers.

As soon as the Risers worked double time on defense, the team was able to flex its muscle and pull away. Bataan held its rival scoreless in more than five minutes in the fourth period then unloaded 18 unanswered points to put away the Strikers for good.

Earlier, Pampanga salvaged a pulsating 8683 triumph over Pasay, which played minus suspended head coach Cholo Martin.

The Lanterns relied on its big guns Levi Hernandez and Michael Juico, but when needed the most, they turned to exGinebra player Jimbo Aquino, who hit a crucial triple in the 1:38 mark to take an 83-79 lead.

It was the seventh win in 17 games for the Lanterns, who climbed into seventh place of the standings. The loss dropped the Voyagers in a tie with the Valenzuela Classic at ninth to 10th spots with the same 6-10 record.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018

Luisita hangs on to 9-shot golf lead BAGUIO CITY—Luisita’s Golf and Country Club heads to the final round of the Senior Fil Championship flight 69th Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament today at the Baguio Country Club with a ninepoint lead.

Luisita came in with 102 points for a three-day total of 351 and a ninepoint lead over Megafiber, which moved to second spot after Manila Southwoods was slapped with a stiff penalty after the second round last Monday.

Chino Raymundo had 28, Rodel Mangulabnan came in with a 27, Eddie Bagtas and Raffy Garcia added 26 and 21 points for the Luisita, while Megafiber shot a flight-best 103 for 342 points.

“It is not a comfortable lead and we will treat tomorrow as if all scores are even,” said Garcia as they were slightly outshot by Megafiber, which had 28 points from Rolly Viray, 27 from Jose Mari Hechanova and a pair of 24 from Abe Rosal and Dave Hernandez.

“We are very fortunate to still be in the lead so we will play tomorrow to win,” added Garcia.

Manila Southwoods made 102 with Raul Minoza shooting the best flight score of 30 for a 337 total and third spot.

Southwoods should have been two down going to the third round, but Sang Jin Lee, who scored 30 points, was disqualified after signing a wrong card which made Bong Sison’s 18 count. Southwoods’ Day 2 effort was thus 115 instead of 127 and their total down to 235, good for third spot, instead of 247.

Freddie Mendoza of Southwoods said they did not contest the decision of Sang’s disqualification, saying that want to win fair and square.

“We will abide by it and play,” he added, watching the Southwoods player struggle at the rather stubborn BCC course where the best score was a six over by Minoza, who on Monday shot a one under 68 for 37 at Camp John Hay. Okinawa made 94 for 297 and out of the podium race.

Silicon Valley Golfers Link Club saved the best for last by shooting 80 big points for 287 total, overhaul a 14 point deficit and win by five the Senior Fil D title.

Despite pitting only four players on the last day, all Silicon Valley golfers improved with Jose Alvin Gueco nearly doubling his third day haul at the BCC course when he shot a 26 (from 14), Daniel Guieb with 21 from a day three team best 19, Ellazar Barrientos chipped in 17 (from 11) and Felipe Basbas added a 16 (from 14) as they came from fifth down to nail the crown.

Son Also Rises proved his prowess as a sprinter by winning the Philracom Grand Sprint Championship at the Metro Turf on Sunday.

Lady Bulldogs capture title via season sweep

By Peter Atencio

I

T’S another perfect season for the National University Lady Bulldogs.

Congo cager Rhena Itesi fired a game-high 17 points and hauled down 10 rebounds for the Lady Bulldogs in putting away the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 67-61, yesterday for their fifth straight crown at the Araneta Coliseum.

Itesi’s heroics in the second period sparked a big scoring run that gave them another title after Game 2 the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s basketball tournament.

Jack Danielle Animam added 15 points, 21 rebounds, four blocks and two assists

for the Lady Bulldogs, who completed a 16-game sweep this season.

Ria Nabalan contributed 11 points in the Lady Bulldogs’ effort to stretch their winning to 80 since 2013.

“Amazing to be a part of it. It’s outrageous, wonderful, unbelievable. Talagang I was just trying to enjoy every moment of it,” said Lady Bulldogs’ coach Pat Aquino.

The Lady Bulldogs took control early after Jeanne Camelo scored on a triple that sparked a 21-0 run at the start of the third period.

With Animam and Itesi taking turns in scoring inside and outside the shaded lane, the Lady Bulldogs went on to post a 39-16 spread in the last 2:12.

The Lady Bulldogs’ winning run is considered as the longest active winning streak in any sport in the league.

Fatima Quiapo had 15 points and 10 re-

3 Thais tie for Pradera lead, but Ardina lurks

Gray, Tautuua get contract extensions

By Jeric Lopez

NORTHPORT is looking to ascend by keeping some of its reliable young core.

Following a disappointing season, the Batang Pier is already looking forward to the next season of the Philippine Basketball Association as it already made some early moves.

NorthPort re-signed young cogs Jonathan Gray and Moala Tautuua to a fresh two-year pact.

Gray and Tautuua are regulars in NorthPort’s rotation.

Showing some flashes of brilliance in the past season, Gray was able to earn praise along the way as his vast improvement is something that the Batang Pier sees as an asset.

For Tautuua, he has been a constant inside presence for the squad, banging bodies down low against the league’s elite big men.

Two weeks ago, the Batang Pier also signed Letran head coach Jeff Napa as an assistant mentor to tactician Pido Jarencio.

bounds, while Clare Castro, only had six points, but she made up for this with 13 rebounds and four blocks for FEU. University of Santo Tomas’ Grace Irebu of Congo formally received the season’s Most Valuable Player honors Irebu’s teammates Sai Larosa, Animam, Castro and Adamson’s Nathalie Prado were named in the Mythical Five. University of Santo Tomas’ Renalyn Ferrer claimed the Rookie of the Year plum.

The scores: NU (67)—Itesi 17, Animam 15, Nabalan 11, Pingol 8, Camelo 8, Del Carmen 7, Canuto 1, Fabruada 0, Layug 0, Cacho 0, Goto 0.

FEU (61)—Quiapo 15, Adriano 9, Mamaril 8, Bahuyan 7, Castro 6, Taguiam 6, Antiola 6, Bastatas 2, Payadon 2, Vidal 0.

Quarterscores: 18-16, 41-25, 54-44, 67-61

Scorching windup nets Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro share of the lead

LUBAO, Pampanga—Thai Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro closed out with three straight birdies to shoot a five-under 67 and force a three-way tie for the lead with Yupaporn Kawinpakorn and erstwhile solo leader Ornicha Konsunthea as the Thais poised to dominate the ICTSI Pradera Verde Ladies Classic here yesterday.

But Dottie Ardina kept the troika within sight, her bogey-free 70 pulling her to within one off the leaders at 140 heading to the final 18 holes of the P1 million championship serving as the second leg of the 2019 Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

The LPGA Tour-bound Filipina, however, will not only have to chase three Thais in front of her at 139 but also try to fend off five others behind her, including Chakansim Khamborn (71-141), Waralee Atcharerk (71-142), Trichat Cheenglab (72-142), Chommapat Pongthanarak (72-142) and Chonlada Chayanun (73-143), as the other local aces failed to make their move in the second round of the 54-hole event put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Princess Superal blew a two-under card after five holes with three bogeys the rest of the way, finishing with a 73 in another windy day at the Pradera Verde layout. She dropped to joint ninth with Chayanun at 143, four strokes behind the leaders.

Cyna Rodriguez fought back from a two-over card with birdies on Nos. 8 and 15 but bogeyed the next and dropped two strokes on No. 17, needing to birdie the last to save a 74. She slipped to joint 13th at 146 with 2018 LPGT Mt. Malarayat leg winner Onkanok Soisuwan, who bounced back with a 70.

Last year’s champion Pauline del Rosario hardly recovered from a bogey-bogey mishap from No. 5, dropping three more strokes at the back against a lone birdie and skied to a 76 for a 148, the same output put in by many-time LPGT winner Chihiro Ikeda, who rebounded from an opening 77 with a 71.

Though they failed to match the 29-year-old Sangkagaro’s scorching windup, Kawinpakorn and Konsunthea both made their charge at the backside of the flat but challenging course with Kawinpakorn birdying two of the last seven to fire a 69 and Konsunthea hitting three birdies in the same stretch to salvage a 71 on her 22nd birthday.

Son Also Rises wins Grand Sprint Championship SON Also Rises cruised past its competition in the short 1,200-meter race to hoist the 2018 Philippine Racing Commission’s Grand Sprint Championship title at the Metro Turf in Malvar, Tanuan City, Batangas on Sunday.

With the multi-titled jockey JB Hernandez riding the Benhur Abalos Jr.-owned colt, Son Also Rises left his rivals behind with his calculated burst of speed in the stretch to record an emphatic four-length victory over second placer Pinagtipunan.

Lakan set the pace early, but Son Also Rises made it a two-horse party in the final 400 before grabbing the lead in the last 150 meters and increasing his speed all the way to the finish for the four-length triumph.

“Kumpiyansa kami sa takbo namin kasi kilalang-kilala ko na itong kabayo ko (Son Also Rises) pati ‘yung kalaban namin na si Lakan sa simula, kaya alam ko na ang galaw nu’ng kalaban namin,” said Hernandez. “Pagkakuha namin sa diretso, tuluy-tuloy na.”

It was the duo’s first major stakes race victory together.

“Madami na kaming panalo na minor races, pero ito ang unang malaki na nakuha namin. Hopefully, may mga kasunod pa,” said Hernandez.

Son Also Rises bagged the P600,000 top purse for Abalos Jr. from the guaranteed P1 million total prize put up by Philracom, including trophies for its owner, jockey and trainer and the breeder’s purse worth P20,000.

Pinagtipunan and rider MB Pilipil settled for the P225,000 for its runner-up finish, while Lakan and jockey RM Garcia pocketed P125,000 for third place. Fourthplacer Dinalupihan, steered by MA Alvarez, took home P50,000.

Other winners for the day dubbed as the Pasay ‘The Travel City’ Racing Festival were Allbymyself in the Pasay City Barangay Trophy Race, Bwana Miss in the Cong. Emi Calixto-Rubiano Trophy Race, Edinburgh in the Team Legacy Trophy Race, Haring Bastos in the Pasay City Council District I Trophy Race, Don’t Underestimate in the Resorts World Manila Trophy Race, Princess Eowyn in the 4th Former Pasay Mayor Eduardo “Duay” Calixto Cup, Boom Tarat Tarat in the Pasay City Council District II Trophy Race, My Jopay in the 5th Pasay Mayor Tony Calixto Cup, Magnificent 7 in the Pasay City Vice Mayor Noel del Rosario Trophy Race, Tin Drum in the 5th Pasay The Travel City Cup and Crown in my Head in the Pasay City Engineer’s Off ice Race.

Bryant confident of Los Angeles Lakers’ recovery LOS ANGELES—Kobe Bryant is confident the Los Angeles Lakers are on the road to recovery and will soon be “laughing” at fans of the all-conquering Golden State Warriors.

Lakers legend Bryant said the iconic NBA franchise would soon be challenging for honours once more after failing to make the play-offs for the past five seasons.

The Lakers, who signed LeBron James in the close season in a bid to transform their fortunes, are currently 14-9 in the Western Conference.

Asked if he believed his former team would win another NBA title soon, Bryant replied: “Of course they will. Of course they will.”

“They have determination to figure it out. They will figure it out,” said Bryant, who was speaking at a Lakers event held at the Staples Center late on Monday.

“They have talented players. So enjoy the journey because we’ll be champions before you know it. Then we’ll just be laughing at all the Warrior fans,” he added, referring to the reigning NBA champions.

However while Bryant expressed confidence about the Lakers’ renewal, he warned that James could not be expected to shoulder the burden of the team’s recovery alone.

“He’s always had the spotlight, right?

He’s been able to deal with that gracefully,” Bryant said. “I think the difference here is that you have a collection of players with a lot of talent all young. And so the challenge is, can they figure out what their games are individually, sooner rather than later? AFP

Bryant

Business

IN BRIEF

ABS-CBN, GMA claim higher ratings ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. both claimed higher television ratings in November this year.

ABS-CBN said it was again ranked as the country’s number one TV network in November, registering an average audience share of 45 percent and maintaining its double-digit lead of 15 points against GMA with 30 percent, based on data from Kantar Media.

ABS-CBN also bolstered its lead in Mega Manila as it scored an average audience share of 37 percent, beating GMA, which slid four points to 29 percent.

GMA, however, said it maintained its nationwide ratings advantage based on the latest data from the industry’s widely-trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

GMA posted an average total day people audience share of 38.6 percent in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement, which surpassed ABS-CBN’s 37.5 percent, in November.

GMA said in the morning block, it registered 36.1 percent people audience share against rival’s 32.1 percent.

GMA said it also led in the afternoon block with 40.2 percent people audience share, beating ABS-CBN’s 37.2 percent.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Phoenix set to issue P2-b preferred shares THE board of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines approved the issuance of P2 billion worth of preferred shares through a private placement.

“We would like to announce that the company’s board of directors has approved the subscription of 2,000,000 preferred shares via private placement at issue price of P1,000 per share,” Phoenix said in a disclosure Wednesday.

Phoenix said RCBC Capital Corp. would be the issue manager and underwriter.

“The proceeds shall be used to finance capital expenditure and working capital requirements. This issuance is exempt transaction under Section 10(k) of the RA No. 8799 otherwise known as the Securities Regulation Code,” it said.

The private placement is different from the company’s previously approved issuance of P5 billion worth of perpetual preferred shares.

“We are redeeming P500 million preferred shares this December. We will issue up to P5 billion next year [using unissued, authorized share inventory],” Phoenix Petroleum vice president for external affairs Raymond Zorrilla said earlier. Alena Mae S. Flores

November inflation eased to 4-month low of 6%—PSA

By Julito G. Rada

I

NFLATION eased to a four-month low of 6 percent in November from a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in October, on slower increases in food and fuel prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday.

The figure brought the average inflation rate in the first 11 months to 5.2 percent, still higher than the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year.

Data from the PSA showed the November inflation was the slowest increase in consumer prices in four months, or since it settled at 5.7 percent in July 2018.

The PSA said there was a slowdown in the price indices of food and non-al-

coholic beverages at 8 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 4.2 percent; and communication, 0.4 percent.

Bangko Sentral Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the November inflation was “very encouraging.”

“For the first time, we are seeing significant negative month-on-month growth after inflation plateaued at around 6.7 percent,” he said.

The PSA said month-on-month inflation declined 0.3 percent in November.

“It confirms that inflation is heading back to the 2 to 4 percent target range in response to decisive non-monetary measures to curb food prices as well as favorable recent developments in highly volatile international oil prices,” Espenilla said in a message to reporters.

He said strong monetary action had significantly reinforced the anti-inflation process through the expectations route and a firmer peso.

“However, its more direct impact on economic activity will take a longer

time to take hold. There is need to pay close attention to the core inflation trend which continue to rise through Nov. at 5.1 percent,” he said.

He said the monetary policy would need to stay vigilant to keep inflation under firm control amid expected strong economic growth.

The country’s economic managers, composed of the secretaries of the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management and National Economic and Development Authority, said the slowdown in inflation suggested the efficacy of anti-inflationary measures taken by the government and pointing to continuing reduction going forward.

“It is comforting for us that the slowdown will alleviate the struggles of poor Filipinos, especially now that the holiday season is just around the corner.

This makes us even more determined in curbing inflation and enforcing all measures to guarantee food security,” the economic managers said in a joint statement.

Consumers file new case against Train law LABAN Konsyumer Inc. on Tuesday filed a second motion to the Supreme Court against the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

“The continuing imposition and increases of the fuel excise taxes exacerbates the adverse effects to all consumers, more particularly to Filipinos from low-income and poor consumers, who hardly have the resources to pay the excise taxes as prescribed by the Train law and more so will pay more excise taxes in 2019 and 2020 but whose resources do not increase to be able to pay the higher taxes in 2019 and 2020,” the group said in the motion.

Laban Konsyumer president Victorio Dimagiba said the crippling burden to lowincome and poor consumers caused by the contested provisions, and the implementation of second tranche in 2019 and the planned suspension of the excise taxes on fuel in January 2019 of the Train law should enable the Supreme Court sufficient basis to act now.

“Otherwise, the system of checks and balances, which is one of the founding principles of our system of government, will be put to naught in the guise of respecting “political” decisions and flip flopping by the economic managers, due to the flawed Train law,” Dimagiba said. Othel V. Campos

Factory production growth softened to 3.9% in October MANUFACTURING grew 3.9 percent in October from a year ago, the slowest in 10 months, pulled down by lower food production, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.

The October 2018 figure, however, was an improvement from a decline of 6.6 percent in the same month last year.

National Economic and Development Authority director-general and Eeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said strong consumer demand and an optimistic business outlook would likely sustain the growth of factory output for the rest of the year.

The value of production index climbed 3.1 percent in October, a reversal of the 6-percent contraction a year ago.

Both VoPI and VaPI have been on positive territory for 10 consecutive months since January 2018.

Increases in the production of petroleum, export-oriented products and non-metallic mineral products drove the expansion of manufacturing output in October.

Neda said manufacturing of construction-related products, such as iron and steel and cement, would be driven by government’s spending on infrastructure and other capital outlay and the sustained growth in private construction activities.

“Over the near-to medium-term, we see that the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program and the recently signed Regular Foreign Investment Negative List will help in raising the productivity of the manufacturing sector,” Pernia said.

Julito G. Rada

DOE-PUP PARTNERSHIP. The Department of Energy (second from right) signs a memorandum of agreement with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Under the agreement, PUP will conduct post-graduate classes for qualified DoE employees for its Master’s degree in Public Administration. The department in turn, will transfer P4,199,958 to PUP to cover tuition, miscellaneous fees and honorarium of professors and lecturers. Signing of the agreement are (from left) PUP Graduate School dean Dr. Junithesmer Rosales, PUP president Dr. Emanuel de Guzman, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Undersecretary Raul Aguilos.

Ayala signs agreement to distribute Kia vehicles in PH

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. said it signed an agreement to distribute Kia vehicles in the Philippines, a deal that would expand the group’s automotive portfolio that currently includes Volkswagen, Honda and Isuzu.

Ayala Corp. said in a disclosure to the stock exchange wholly-owned subsidiary AC Industrial Technology Holdings Inc. signed a distributorship agreement with Korea’s automotive giant Kia Motors Corp. to re-establish the Kia brand in the Philippines.

Under the agreement, a joint venture company, with AC Industrials as majority stockholder, will be established in collaboration with the previous distributor―Columbian Autocar Corp. of businessman Pepito Alvarez.

A relaunch of Kia brand, under AC Industrials, is slated by January 2019.

“We are very excited to partner with Kia Motors in re-introducing the Kia brand to the Philippine market. With Kia’s dominant position globally, this partnership will undoubtedly boost AC Industrials’ automotive portfolio and enhance its position in the domestic automotive space,” Ayala Corp. chairman and chief executive Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said.

Ho-Sung Song, executive vice president and chief operating officer at KMC HQ in Seoul, South Korea, and Steve Lee, president of Kia Motors Asia Regional HQ based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, welcome the strategic partnership with the Ayala group.

“Together we will offer a refreshed, competitive model lineup and an out-

standing sales and service experience. We also look forward to gradually bringing to the Filipino market many of the disruptive technologies now reshaping the future of the automotive industry,” they said in a joint statement.

KMC is a global automobile manufacturer, established in 1944 and an affiliate of the Hyundai Motor Group since 1998. KMC sold 2.76 million vehicles in 2017 in 185 countries through 24 sales offices and over 6,000 dealers.

Collectively, the Hyundai-Kia group is the world’s third-largest automotive manufacturer, producing 7.25 million vehicles in 2017.

Kia will be the sixth brand under the stewardship of AC Automotive, which is the vehicle distribution and dealership unit of AC Industrials.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018

B1

Jobless rate rises to 5.1% of labor force JOBLESS rate slightly increased to 5.1 percent of the labor force in October from 5 percent a year ago, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday.

Data, however, showed the underemployment rate, or the percentage of workers desiring more hours of work, declined to its lowest in more than a decade, according to the National Economic and Development Authority.

Results of of the Labor Force Survey indicated that underemployment rate dropped to 13.3 percent in October from 15.9 percent a year earlier.

This was equivalent to 1.1 million less underemployed workers from last year’s 6.6 million. It was also the lowest underemployment rate recorded for all October rounds since 2006 (20.3 percent).

“This signals that the quality of work is improving even outside the National Capital Region. We attribute this to expanding employment opportunities and the approval of nominal increases in regional wages supported by labor productivity improvements,” Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.

Underemployment rate in areas outside NCR significantly declined to 14.6 percent in October 2018 from 17 percent in 2017, also the lowest in over a decade.

The percentage of discouraged job seekers decreased to 11.5 percent, better than the 12 percent target for 2018.

However, of the total youth population, 19.9 percent was neither in employment nor in education in 2018, but still falling within the target of 19.5 percent to 21.5 percent.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate slightly inched up to 5.1 percent, equivalent to 2.2 million unemployed persons, compared to last year. Still, the 5.3 percent unemployment rate for 2018 was at the upper end of the Philippine Development Plan 2018 target range of 4.7 percent to 5.3 percent.

Neda said the government was on track with respect to four out of seven employment targets specified in the PDP 2017-2022.

“To meet our targets, we need to fast-track strategic efforts to achieve all of our end-of-plan targets towards full and inclusive employment. There is a need to improve social protection programs for workers while providing flexibility for firms to adjust to changing market conditions. This should be complemented with the provision of unemployment insurance to support the income of displaced workers who will be negatively affected by economic disruptions,” Pernia said.

The LFS recorded around 826,000 employment generated in 2018, falling behind the government’s annual target of 900,000 to 1.1 million employment.

Pernia said to meet the employment target, the should be a simplification of issuing business permits and licenses and reduction of fees.

Data showed that in terms of gender, only 46.6 percent of women were recorded to be in the labor force for 2018, below the 49.7 percent target set for the period.

Similarly, the labor force participation rate dropped to 60.6 percent, mainly due to more youth opting for full-time studies, and females opting out of work due to household duties.

Julito G. Rada

First Gen, Tokyo Gas to develop LNG project

By Alena Mae S. Flores FIRST Gen Corp. on Wednesday signed a joint development agreement with Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. to jointly pursue the development of FGen LNG Corp.’s liquefied natural gas terminal project in Batangas province.

“Tokyo Gas will take a 20-percent participating interest in the FGen LNG Project and provide support in development work to achieve a final investment decision,” First Gen said in disclosure to the stock exchange.

Upon reaching FID under the JDA, the parties will sign a definitive agreement to proceed with the construction of the FGen LNG Project.

“First Gen is excited to partner with Tokyo Gas, a world-class natural gas and LNG company with vast experience in the development, financing, construction and operations of LNG storage and regasification facilities.

First Gen and Tokyo Gas share the common belief that the country needs

clean natural gas to produce power which is not only cost-competitive but, given its flexible operations, is the perfect complement to a growing renewable energy industry,” said First Gen president Giles Puno.

Tokyo Gas was declared by the Energy Department as one of the seriously interested companies to develop an LNG facility in the country.

The government views an LNG terminal as a vital national infrastructure to maintain and enhance the country’s energy security once the Malampaya gas field in northwest Palawan is depleted by 2024.

“Finally, we both share the vision of the Department of Energy in the implementation of LNG projects in the Philippines. First Gen and Tokyo Gas intend to cooperate with all relevant stakeholders who share the same vision to participate in making LNG viable for the Philippines,” said Puno.

First Gen short-listed two engineering, procurement and construction contractors for the planned LNG facility.

JG SUMMIT TAPS SAP SOLUTIONS. German software company SAP and JG Summit Holdings Inc., one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines, announce their collaboration to help accelerate the latter’s journey towards digital transformation.

Shown during the ceremonial banging of the gong to mark the collaboration are (from left) SAP Digital Business Services general manager Ella Mangubat, SAP Asia Pacific president Scott Russell, JG Summit president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. president and chief executive Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Robinsons Bank president and chief executive Elfren Antonio Sarte, JG Summit chief finance officer Francisco del Mundo and chief information officer Carlos Santos.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks slip as Wall Street drops T HE stock market fell Wednesday on profit taking after surging early in the week, weighed down by a big slump in Wall Street overnight and ignoring the lower November Philippine inflation figure.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 73.02 points, or 1 percent, to 7,630.90 on a value turnover of P8.3 billion. Losers edged gainers, 98 to 96, with 34 issues unchanged.

The inflation rate in November 2018 declined to a four-month low of 6 percent from a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in October, pulled down mainly by slower increases in food and fuel prices,

the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday.

Conglomerate SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. lost 2 percent to P960, while unit SM Prime Holdings Corp. slipped 1.6 percent to P36.80.

San Miguel Corp. dropped 3.4 percent to P169, while Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. decreased 1.6 percent to P53.60.

The rest of Asian markets fell Wednesday following a rout on Wall Street, as investors were bombarded by a “perfect storm” of problems that erased the positivity seen at the start of the week.

The glum mood overshadowed hints from Donald Trump at more time to resolve the China-US trade row, as well as soothing comments from China about their desire to push on with a weekend agreement between the world’s top economies.

Wall Street suffered a battering, with

ber, I am a Tariff Man,” adding “When people or countries come in to raid the great wealth of our Nation, I want them to pay for the privilege of doing so.”

Then, in another tweet he left open the door to an extension of the agreement’s 90-day timeline to end the row.

On Wednesday, China’s commerce ministry called the pact “successful” and said it “will start with the implementation of the specific matters in which consensus has been reached, the sooner the better,” without providing more details.

Adding to the mounting risks are concerns about the US economy after the difference in yields on two- and 10-year bonds narrowed, suggesting traders are increasingly concerned about longerterm prospects.

The are fears of an “inversion” where short-term yields overtake long-term rates, which in the past has been the precursor to a recession. With AFP

the Dow slipping 3.1 percent, S&P 500 3.2 percent lower and Nasdaq 3.8 percent off.

The selling continued into Asia, where Hong Kong plunged 1.7 percent in the afternoon, Shanghai ended 0.6 percent lower and Tokyo was down 0.5 percent.

Singapore shed 0.8 percent and Seoul was 0.6 percent off, while Wellington dived one percent. Sydney slipped 0.8 percent after data showed the Australian economy grew at a slower pace than expected in July-September. The Australian dollar dived more than one percent.

Trading floors are awash with uncertainty over the agreement Trump hammered out with Xi Jinping to much fanfare—and an initial market rally—in Buenos Aires, with little clarity emerging and the US president shifting his tone.

While he hailed the deal at first, on Tuesday he warned on Twitter “remem-

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND IREMIT MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK

60 93 2.3 135 27.65 15.9 12.2 3.82 7.19 1.42 0.48 78.6 0.8 11 42.85 179.8 71.25 29.3 164.9 67.6

60 93.95 2.34 135.5 27.8 15.9 12.2 3.93 7.99 1.45 0.48 79.5 0.88 11.4 44.4 179.8 71.3 29.4 164.9 67.6

59 92.05 2.3 134 27.5 15.9 11.94 3.75 7.19 1.36 0.45 77.45 0.8 11 42.5 175.2 71.25 29 159 66.6

FINANCIALS 59 60 93.5 2,863,390 2.34 23,000 134.8 2,431,720 27.75 168,900 15.9 7,100 12.1 661,000 3.89 113,000 7.99 1,800 1.36 25,000 0.45 110,000 79.5 3,456,080 0.88 1,134,000 11.4 54,900 44 612,700 179 1,350 71.3 240 29 38,800 159 452,970 66.95 2,762,190

3,560 266,988,192 52,940 327,945,156 4,660,990 112,890 7,979,598 434,930 13,902 34,890 50,700 271,999,449 968,920 623,504 26,623,600 238,076 17,111 1,133,385 72,920,624 183,969,239.50

29,952,742.50 52,423,231 -63,480 85,846 74,672,567 24,280 25,300 -963,100 -684,225 -17,553,701 -184,262

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

33.3 17.62 1.02 1.25 0.25 1.7 15.12 32.75 17.9 37.25 1.61 5.54 6.72 10.5 15.3 8.6 6.99 17.88 63.35 24.15 2.18 6.1 9.49 1.78 289 50.1 4.62 8.6 28 10 18.5 385.8 6 1.39 4.04 8.48 4.82 8.25 0.89 11 46.2 5.33 4.81 1.92 2.8 1.36 10.68 84.4 5.45 0.128 0.87 129.9 1.8 16.04 1.75

33.3 17.62 1.04 1.27 0.25 1.72 15.6 33 17.9 37.5 1.79 6.02 6.74 10.5 15.44 8.6 6.99 18.64 63.45 24.5 2.23 6.18 9.51 1.8 297 58.5 4.62 8.61 28.25 10.1 19.4 387.8 6 1.4 4.04 8.48 5.37 8.26 0.91 11.1 47.8 5.33 4.81 1.96 2.85 1.43 10.68 84.45 5.52 0.128 0.87 129.9 1.85 17 1.86

32.8 17.48 0.98 1.25 0.245 1.67 15.12 32 17.1 37.25 1.6 5.54 6.63 10.3 15 8.5 6.97 17.78 62.2 24.15 2.14 6.1 9.2 1.74 288.8 50 3.99 8.52 27.9 9.99 18.02 380.2 6 1.38 3.96 8.23 4.82 8.25 0.89 10.9 46.2 5.33 4.8 1.87 2.8 1.3 10.34 84.15 5.45 0.128 0.87 129.3 1.7 16.04 1.71

INDUSTRIAL 33 1,062,600 17.58 787,800 1.02 11,801,000 1.25 295,000 0.249 2,730,000 1.68 6,290,000 15.4 67,300 32 300,300 17.1 200 37.5 3,600 1.65 216,000 6.01 151,000 6.65 30,600 10.3 2,508,700 15.02 247,200 8.55 64,600 6.98 60,900 18.3 7,300,200 63 120,050 24.15 2,600 2.14 8,359,000 6.18 75,500 9.46 1,140,400 1.8 489,000 294 735,640 58.5 121,400 4.48 267,000 8.52 2,700 28 729,300 9.99 636,100 18.78 11,606,500 385.2 187,010 6 10,900 1.38 586,000 3.96 14,000 8.39 1,173,800 5.28 265,000 8.25 5,100 0.91 2,307,000 11 308,200 47 243,800 5.33 18,600 4.81 4,254,000 1.95 222,000 2.85 100,000 1.43 191,000 10.34 182,000 84.25 1,633,250 5.51 900,400 0.128 10,000 0.87 11,000 129.9 860,680 1.84 13,624,000 17 1,400 1.8 16,438,000

35,056,445 13,828,682 11,956,560 368,890 676,110 10,633,480 1,038,006 9,654,535 3,500 134,800 354,410 879,090 205,210 26,113,300 3,757,360 550,896 425,128 131,872,086 7,580,419.50 62,860 18,094,030 464,290 10,741,130 866,000 215,614,144 6,091,467.50 1,096,520 23,220 20,428,550 6,361,561 217,913,934 71,835,494 65,400 819,760 55,640 9,752,559 1,346,140 42,080 2,087,970 3,391,060 11,443,455 99,138 20,461,630 427,980 283,000 261,770 1,888,298 137,681,571.50 4,951,412 1,280 9,570 111,735,148 24,395,370 23,224 29,559,620

-8,063,170 -60,788 85,980 470,800 -5,113,490 315,710 96,525 9,660 -320,524 -453,440 -389,487 -29,326,750 -2,778,342 787,360 -64,719 -117,260 117,741,150 3,440 17,354,295 -1,139,040 -3,345,540 -9,036,642 -706,820 310,114 -1,896,790 -1,450,870 817,420 99,138 -9,610 38,190 -57,000 -1,057,630 69,491,701.50 -45,498,918 -1,180,680 -13,600 148,320

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.62 53.3 11.72 0.8 6.4 24 1.44 1.44 954.5 7.25 12.82 9.95 4.58 960 51.05 0.55 4.14 16.9 0.58 4.86 0.038 1.23 2.37 2.69 173.4 941.5 1.33 474.8 275.2 0.255 0.224

0.64 53.9 11.96 0.89 6.4 24.15 1.47 1.47 968.5 7.35 12.92 10.1 5.4 975 52.7 0.55 4.15 17.28 0.6 4.89 0.04 1.24 2.4 2.69 173.8 976.5 1.33 609 280 0.255 0.224

0.6 52.05 11.6 0.8 6.4 21.5 1.4 1.41 949 7.11 12.72 9.9 4.58 942 51 0.53 4.07 16.7 0.58 4.77 0.038 1.21 2.36 2.69 169 941.5 1.33 473 275.2 0.248 0.224

HOLDING FIRMS 0.64 27,700,000 53.6 10,964,830 11.9 8,134,000 0.81 60,000 6.4 10,300 21.5 155,300 1.41 18,794,000 1.42 4,203,000 960 381,020 7.3 767,100 12.92 4,048,800 10.06 1,754,800 5.2 24,000 974.5 138,680 52.4 2,910,450 0.55 6,000 4.1 13,849,000 16.7 4,743,200 0.6 252,000 4.87 64,487,000 0.038 13,100,000 1.24 84,000 2.39 402,000 2.69 1,000 169 973,080 960 341,880 1.33 8,000 560 2,900 280 40 0.25 4,070,000 0.224 80,000

17,179,600 572,730,298.50 96,397,574 48,660 65,920 3,484,900 26,700,650 5,993,540 364,743,060 5,623,170 51,775,318 17,549,492 128,560 134,379,700 151,410,651 3,260 57,136,420 80,371,920 150,160 313,792,740 502,700 102,620 957,050 2,690 166,082,790 330,327,500 10,640 1,587,782 11,056 1,016,450 17,920

431,960 28,092,197 36,545,986 -16,000 65,920 18,240 1,848,020 -82,196,210 151,939 10,546 608,164 38,364,430 19,721,265 762,340 4,049,824 120,000 -77,989,990 23,800 -93,370,767 55,017,520 -

8990 HLDG A BROWN ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV

7.58 0.79 1.77 0.6 42.1 2.3 4.09 5.85 0.405 0.88 0.224 0.345 8.1 18.36 0.485 0.106 1.47 1.13 4.74 0.395 0.495 2.43

7.75 0.8 1.79 0.6 42.5 2.43 4.09 6 0.41 0.88 0.226 0.35 8.13 18.38 0.53 0.116 1.49 1.14 4.8 0.4 0.495 2.46

7.56 0.77 1.76 0.57 41 2.25 4.02 5.85 0.405 0.88 0.222 0.33 8.06 18.2 0.48 0.106 1.47 1.06 4.71 0.39 0.475 2.4

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS VISTA LAND

0.39 3.75 21.5 1.97 3.12 36.55 1.19 5.67 5.24

0.39 3.79 21.65 2.05 3.12 36.95 1.19 5.85 5.24

0.375 3.7 21.05 1.97 3.12 36.3 1.17 5.61 5.2

0.385 3.76 21.5 2.02 3.12 36.8 1.19 5.7 5.21

970,000 226,000 5,581,500 314,000 45,000 21,546,100 1,069,000 627,300 2,927,100

371,150 846,590 119,360,795 631,190 140,400 789,972,030 1,264,390 3,589,562 15,249,588

-247,740 -4,225,160 -99,500 -8,216,400.00 -11,310 -9,106,289

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

11.2 19.8 1.27 0.375 0.039 2.5 8.5 75 6.81 7.15 2.36 20 920 2,080 5.33 318.2 3.29 94.6 10.54 0.116 6.13 14 3.63 0.79 14.58 5.48 6.95 2.28 2.18 2.18 15.52 3.68 10 8.26 119.5 3.33 1,190 0.68 0.32 42.5 77 7.2 2.35 0.62 0.4 5.25 0.71 12.38

11.8 20.4 1.44 0.39 0.039 2.64 8.55 75 6.98 7.92 2.4 20.9 920 2,108 5.35 325 3.4 95 10.54 0.116 6.41 14.3 3.63 0.79 15.1 5.54 7.1 2.32 2.37 2.32 15.78 3.79 10.36 8.26 119.5 3.36 1,207 0.77 0.325 42.75 77 7.6 2.35 0.68 0.4 5.28 0.73 12.48

11.2 19.7 1.26 0.375 0.038 2.41 8.37 72.1 6.75 7.15 2.36 19 920 2,044 5.23 318.2 3.29 93.5 10.54 0.109 5.92 14 3.51 0.79 14.48 5.37 6.95 2.26 2.07 1.85 15.5 3.6 9.52 8.26 111 3.12 1,189 0.68 0.31 42.4 74.5 7.2 2.3 0.61 0.39 5.25 0.69 12.24

SERVICES 11.72 20.4 1.44 0.39 0.038 2.53 8.45 72.1 6.77 7.78 2.38 19.2 920 2,100 5.23 325 3.34 95 10.54 0.116 5.98 14.1 3.53 0.79 14.68 5.52 7.09 2.3 2.37 2.32 15.78 3.71 10 8.26 118.4 3.21 1,207 0.75 0.325 42.5 74.6 7.6 2.34 0.64 0.39 5.26 0.7 12.28

175,300 165,500 3,454,000 950,000 1,300,000 10,875,000 8,151,500 94,450 1,921,400 3,000 33,000 774,500 200 25,125 176,000 610 1,139,000 799,830 700 660,000 16,260,400 1,200 875,000 3,000 1,048,200 88,300 270,000 1,523,000 2,927,000 199,000 65,100 2,001,000 8,500 12,900 25,160 2,024,000 44,425 35,495,000 560,000 3,703,600 1,077,220 43,700 10,206,000 44,734,000 32,020,000 619,500 5,462,000 515,300

2,032,168 3,304,876 4,352,250 362,550 49,600 27,474,570 68,953,751 6,905,158 13,091,385 22,326 78,170 15,358,613 184,000 52,592,890 927,409 197,560 3,804,180 75,530,836 7,378 74,140 99,720,301 16,930 3,092,850 2,370 15,589,934 476,428 1,904,883 3,498,840 6,586,610 443,140 1,009,094 7,378,520 85,788 106,554 2,990,563 6,514,270 53,324,530 26,011,660 178,000 157,364,215 80,448,620.50 328,128 23,833,540 28,921,060 12,605,400 3,262,650 3,833,970 6,329,514

-46,120 -78,750 303,760.00 -18,763,772 -2,846,475 58,589 10,000 184,000 12,010,070 320,610 23,239,220 -3,315,346 35,300 -2,809,820 1,074,629 -362,590.00 -345,430 16,520 215,455 -2,225,170 -14,644,580 -316,970 -117,113,355 -52,450,623.50 2,179,990 -19,290,110 35,550 -624,362 -63,060 1,145,730

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PHINMA PETRO PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING

0.002 1.65 2.67 15.3 1.9 0.3 7.73 1.7 0.206 0.096 0.103 0.0073 1.08 2.36 1.05 0.91 0.013 0.012 0.012 3.15 2.7 14.92 26

0.0021 1.7 2.7 16.2 1.9 0.3 7.73 1.71 0.206 0.106 0.108 0.0076 1.15 2.41 1.06 0.91 0.013 0.012 0.012 3.5 2.85 16.1 26

0.0019 1.64 2.54 15 1.9 0.3 7.11 1.69 0.202 0.096 0.102 0.0073 1.07 2.32 1.03 0.9 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.14 2.7 14.88 25.2

MINING & OIL 0.0021 801,000,000 1.66 9,132,000 2.54 277,000 15.68 27,500 1.9 60,000 0.3 230,000 7.32 700 1.71 16,235,000 0.205 70,000 0.101 53,970,000 0.106 1,630,000 0.0076 25,000,000 1.07 55,000 2.36 5,656,000 1.06 128,000 0.9 231,000 0.012 85,700,000 0.012 200,000 0.012 9,500,000 3.5 39,000 2.81 3,255,000 15.9 7,594,400 25.2 1,916,900

1,552,000 15,374,320 735,290 427,696 114,000 69,000 5,129 27,604,390 14,260 5,344,780 172,090 189,000 59,250 13,345,400 134,390 208,310 1,038,400 2,400 114,000 128,900 9,156,890 119,230,064 48,640,160

-99,320 -52,190 -270,770 10,500 2,468,420 -132,300 840,460 -3,212,144 -14,559,110

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I

19.1 460 489.8 98.25 474 5.06 99.5 990 102.2 76.3 73 74.9 73.5

19.4 460 489.8 98.9 474 5.07 99.7 990 102.2 76.3 73.95 75 73.5

19 460 489.8 98.25 460 5.06 99.5 990 102.2 76.05 72.8 74.9 73.45

PREFERRED 19.18 161,800 460 4,560 489.8 10 98.9 11,470 460 4,000 5.07 102,000 99.7 2,850 990 2,250 102.2 8,150 76.3 98,770 73.95 7,500 75 5,500 73.45 21,500

3,099,760 2,097,600 4,898 1,129,525 1,859,220 516,140 284,015 2,227,500 832,930 7,522,417.50 549,750 412,000 1,579,925

-3,099,760 38,150 -

LR WARRANT

2.11

2.13

2.05

WARRANTS 2.05 558,000

1,154,650

10,350

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

4.65 2.67 1.35

4.66 2.67 1.44

4.51 2.67 1.29

4.64 2.67 1.37

744,490 3,420,270 16,533,890

-13,760 -2,949,750

FIRST METRO ETF

113.8

113.8

111.6

2,019,008

14,794

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10 1.01

10 1.02

10 1.01

MS

PROPERTY 7.75 0.8 1.76 0.59 42.5 2.37 4.04 6 0.41 0.88 0.224 0.33 8.06 18.3 0.53 0.116 1.49 1.12 4.8 0.395 0.475 2.45

2,853,600 595,000 376,000 509,000 11,548,500 4,230,000 52,000 6,300 2,070,000 3,000 570,000 2,940,000 390,900 152,600 880,000 110,000 1,430,000 2,906,000 18,271,000 19,860,000 2,630,000 4,023,000

21,698,935 470,470 665,650 294,400 486,821,655 9,964,530 210,710 36,870 840,200 2,640 127,830 984,450 3,154,647 2,791,746 436,400 12,660 2,118,040 3,167,100 87,464,440 7,829,200 1,262,350 9,810,620

-46,335 64,702,165 -6,106,960.00 4,020.00 -7,605.00 -283,500 -918,450 24,180 494,102 394,930 -131,820 33,168,910 -216,850 -2,316,510

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

15,816,245

INDUSTRIAL

103,172,914

HOLDING FIRMS

185,735,517

PROPERTY

109,797,702

SERVICES

211,169,663

MINING & OIL

1,021,922,635

GRAND TOTAL

1,661,086,315

SME

162,000 1,281,000 12,009,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 113.2 17,970 10 1.02

DDS

2,710 48,000

27,100 48,830

-

VALUE 1,798.07 (down) 16.69 1,262,907,282.62 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,907.24 (up) 11.24 1,230,864,769.97 HOLDING FIRMS 7,545.26 (down) 107.13 2,979,232,140.94 PROPERTY 3,745.43 (down) 29.74 1,437.42 (down) 2.76 1,572,812,085.571 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,606.05 (up) 32.95 1,006,492,878.93 PSEI 7,630.90 (down) 73.02 243,684,905.77 All Shares Index 4,574.16 (down) 28.35 8,318,716,409.03 Gainers: 96; Losers: 98; Unchanged: 34; Total: 228

Melco Resorts moves closer to delisting shares from exchange

By Jenniffer B. Austria MELCO Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp. moved closer to the original plan of delisting its shares from the Philippine Stock Exchange as its public ownership is set to drop to less than the 10-percent required by the local bourse.

Melco Resorts said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it was informed by majority shareholder MCO (Philippines) Investments Ltd. that 1.33 billion common shares out of the 1.56 billion shares held by the public had been tendered and accepted by MCO Investments at the end of the offering period on Nov 29.

After the tendered shares are crossed at the PSE on Dec. 10, MCO Investments will own 96.1 percent of the outstanding capital stock of Melco Resorts.

This means its public float will drop to 3.9 percent, which could trigger a possible trading suspension and delisting if Melco Resorts will not present a defined program to comply with the 10-percent minimum public ownership requirement within the next six months.

Melco Resorts said MCO Investments would submit a final tender offer report with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PSE on or before Dec 14.

MCO Investments will spend P9.64 billion to acquire the tendered shares based on the offer price of P7.25 apiece.

MCO Investments originally planned to delist Melco Resort from the PSE after filing a petition for voluntary delisting in September.

However, after receiving strong opposition from minority shareholders, MCO Investments withdrew the petition for voluntary delisting.

It also changed the purpose of the tender offer to increasing its stake in the gaming firm and not for the purpose of delisting.

MCO Investments earlier said it decided to delist Melco Resorts because, citing that the listing in recent years had not contributed to the company’s ability to raise funds despite considerable efforts and expenses being incurred to maintain the status.

PT&T, Paynamics OK partnership over payment solutions

By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Telegraph and Telephone Corp. has teamed up with Paynamics, a global payment solutions provider, to offer secure and efficient electronic payment solutions for both large and small and medium enterprises.

PT&T’s partnership with Paynamics is in line with a strategy to become a digital services provider.

“This is a major step as we increase PT&T’s presence in the digital footprint of Filipinos,” PT&T president and chief executive James Velasquez said.

“With more than 30 years of experience in the payments industry, the partnership with Paynamics is one of the ways we fulfill our mission of enriching the lives of Filipinos,” he added.

The partnership is expected to deliver solutions catering to both large enterprises and MSMEs. The highly flexible and scalable technology of Paynamics coupled with PT&T’s fiber connectivity will change the way Filipinos do online transactions.

“We are highly confident in the strategic vision of the newPT&T management. We are excited to bring our payment solutions to more Filipino business organizations through PT&T’s 100 percent fiber network,” Paynamics chairman and founder Ronald Magleo said.

PT&T’s 10,000 kilometers of 100 percent fiber allows seamless connectivity while Paynamics has an extensive payment processing network that offers multi-channel pay-in and payout options.

PT&T earlier reported a P25-million net income in year ending June 2018, up 193 percent from a year ago.

The company’s revenues amounted to P201 million, up 62 percent from last year’s P124 million.

extrastory2000@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Einstein letter on God goes for $2.89 million

NEW YORK―A handwritten letter by Albert Einstein in which the physicist doubts the existence of God was auctioned Tuesday for $2.89 million.

It was a record for an Einstein letter and far surpassed its estimated value of $1.0-1.5 million, Christie’s said.

A 1939 letter in which Einstein warned then president Franklin D. Roosevelt about Germany’s atom bomb preparations was auctioned for $2.1 million in 2002.

In the letter sold on Tuesday, dated 1954 and written in German to philosopher Eric Gutkind, Einstein said he did not believe in God. “The word God is for me nothing but the expression and product of human weaknesses,” Einstein wrote.

“The Bible, a collection of venerable but still rather primitive legends.”

The letter was last sold in 2008 to a private collector for $404,000, Christie’s said. AFP

Comedian Kevin Hart to host Oscars

LOS ANGELES-US comedian and actor Kevin Hart announced on Tuesday that he would be hosting the 91st Academy Awards in February.

“For years I have been asked if I would ever Host the Oscars and my answer was always the same...,” Hart wrote in an Instagram post. “I said that it would be the opportunity of a lifetime for me as a comedian and that it will happen when it’s supposed to.

“I am so happy to say that the day has finally come for me to host the Oscars.”

The “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” star will be hosting the glitzy event after talk show host Jimmy Kimmel held the gig for two consecutive years.

Hart will be facing pressure to boost audience ratings for the annual show that will be held on February 24 in Hollywood and which had an all-time low of

Business/World

26.5 million viewers last year, compared to 43 million in 2014.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has said it was introducing a number of changes to improve viewership, including shortening the show to three hours and handing out some of the awards during commercial breaks. AFP

Soldier gets 25 years for backing ISIS

LOS ANGELES―A US soldier based in Hawaii was sentenced on Tuesday to 25 years in prison for attempting to provide support to the Islamic State group also known as ISIS. Ikaika Erik Kang, 35, whose sentence was part of a plea agreement, will also be under at least 20 years of supervised release after he completes his prison term.

“Kang swore to defend the United States as a member of our military, but betrayed his country by swearing allegiance to ISIS and attempting to provide it material support,” John Demers, assistant attorney general for national security, said in a statement.

According to authorities, Kang, a sergeant in the US Army, became sympathetic to ISIS by at least early 2016 and regularly watched propaganda videos published online by the terror group while expressing a desire to become a member.

Prosecutors said he spoke in detail about committing specific acts of violence including launching attacks at public gatherings such as the Honolulu Christmas Parade and planning a suicide bombing at his army barracks.

In June and July of last year, he met with undercover FBI agents posing as people with connections to ISIS and provided them with sensitive material.

He also supplied the agents with a small aerial drone and military-style clothing and gear.

On another occasion, he provided two undercover FBI employees -- one pretending to be a high-ranking ISIS leader and another an ISIS fighter -- with a two-hour combat training session to hone their fighting and marksmanship skills.

Kang was arrested after he swore allegiance to ISIS during a ceremony conducted by the purported ISIS leader. AFP

B3

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cardinal backs leading protesters in HK court H ONG KONG―An outspoken Hong Kong cardinal Wednesday defended the leading democracy campaigners on trial over the massive 2014 rallies that paralyzed parts of the city, praising their commitment to peaceful protest.

Joseph Zen, the former Bishop of Hong Kong, is well-known for his vocal opposition to political oppression in China and his support for democratic reform.

Testifying as a witness of character, he said he believed civil disobedience was a “reasonable approach” and felt “ashamed” that he did not endure the pepper spray and tear gas that many demonstrators faced.

The rallies lasted 79 days and made international headlines but ultimately

failed to win political reform.

Sociology professor Chan Kin-man, 59, law professor Benny Tai, 54, and baptist minister Chu Yiu-ming, 74, are on trial on public nuisance charges over their role in the Umbrella Movement protests.

They founded the “Occupy Central” movement in 2013, calling for the occupation of Hong Kong’s business district if the public was not given a fair vote for the city’s leader, who is appointed by a pro-Beijing committee.

Their campaign was overtaken by a student movement that exploded the following year when police fired tear gas on gathering crowds, who used umbrellas to shield themselves.

Zen said he thought the police’s use of gas to disperse crowds was “unwise” and worried it would fan public anger.

“So I took a loudspeaker and said ‘let’s go home, we already won, don’t stay here. [The government] were irrational, they used violence’. But of course, not many people listened to

me,” he said.

Zen told the court of the trio’s dedication to the principles of peaceful protest.

“There was civil disobedience because for a long time the injustice in society still could not be corrected. Therefore I thought civil disobedience was a reasonable approach,” he said.

He also recalled discussing his concerns with the Occupy leaders over how the protests would develop.

“It was like the students were leading it but didn’t seem to be able to control the situation. It seemed like the trio no longer had the chance to give their opinions,” he said.

The prosecution has argued that the mass protests caused a “common injury done to the public”, who were affected by the blockage of major roads.

Defendant Chan Kin-man told the court last week how the three had tried to convey their wish for competitive elections by meeting with Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, then chief secretary, before the mass rallies. AFP

Corporate maneuvers to settle Iloilo power fix ONE way or another, the power standoff in Iloilo City will be resolved through a series of corporate maneuvers that will hopefully result in a win-win solution Beleaguered Panay Electric Co., or PECO, of the old money Cacho family is virtually staring at a hostile takeover from MORE Electric and Power Corp. of businessman Enrique Razon Jr. after losing the franchise to distribute electricity in Iloilo City.

With its franchise expiring on Jan.18, 2019 and with nothing to hold on to, PECO it seems has no other recourse but to welcome a takeover from MORE to prevent a disruption in electricity service. It appears that PECO has little options, if any, to extend its hold over Iloilo City.

The Department of Energy has warned that it will take over the operations of PECO if it refuses to turn over its distribution facilities to MORE, which has just obtained the congressional franchise to distribute electricity in Iloilo City, once PECO’s franchise expires.

The DoE, according to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, had formed a task force with the National Electrification Administration to take over the PECO’s facilities and operations in case the company refuses to implement a transition plan.

“We are prepared to take over in case, to ensure there is no disruption of service. We (with NEA) organized a task force to take over in case there will be no settlement in the issue,” Cusi said.

Cusi, of course, prefers a smooth transition phase, with PECO and MORE forging an agreement that will not disrupt electricity service in Iloilo City.

That could mean the Cachos led by president Luis Miguel Cacho and chairman Mariano Cacho Jr. will agree on a buyout of the family’s 70-percent stake in PECO. First Philippine Holdings Corp. of the Lopez Group in 1996 purchased 30 percent of the capital stock of PECO in exchange for a stake in Panay Power Corp., which operates a 72-MW diesel plant in Iloilo City.

The Lopez Group so far has kept its distance from the word war between the Cacho family and Mr. Razon. A source said the Lopezes were open to whoever will ultimately take over the Iloilo City franchise.

Razon’s broadsides Mr. Razon, meanwhile, minced no words in slamming PECO and its alleged poor electricity services in the central Visayan city. He criticized PECO for alleged inefficiencies that paved the way for his company MORE to apply for the franchise to distribute electricity in Iloilo City.

Razon, the majority shareholder of More through his holding company, said Iloilo City residents had suffered from Peco’s “poor services, overcharging of power bills with some reaching more than 1,000 percent, accumulated billings due to erroneous meter readings, technical failures, poor customer service, high electricity rates, constant power interruptions and unexplained charges” for decades.

“If Peco had been doing a good job, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to apply for this franchise and transform it into a modern, efficient, low cost and state-of-the-art distribution network,” he said.

The Senate public services committee chaired by Senator Grace Poe voted unanimously last month in favor of House Bill No. 8132 granting MORE the franchise to operate a distribution system in Iloilo City.

“Four generations of Ilonggos have suffered under PECO. Neither are they heard by PECO, who has not addressed the many pending complaints– numbering 1,800―against it… Clearly, it is time that the Ilonggos are relieved of their misery,” Razon, who also chairs port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc., said.

Razon also rebuffed the claims of PECO that MORE did not have the qualifications to run an electric company.

“We certainly never want to have the qualifications of Peco. We are exactly the opposite of PECO because we have a track record of success in start-ups and large-scale projects not only in the Philippines but globally,” Razon said.

Razon got into the new business through Apex Mining Co. Inc., which owns Monte Oro Resources and Energy Inc., later renamed as MORE Electric and Power Corp. Razon’s Prime Metroline Holdings Inc., which owns Bloomberry Resorts Corp., subscribed to 2 billion shares of Monte Oro. PMHI is now the single biggest stockholder of Apex.

Some analysts say Mr. Razon will likely use MORE and Prime Metroline in the takeover of PECO. But they did not discount the possibility that he may resort to flipping MORE for quick profit.

MORE has boosted its value with the Iloilo franchise and if the Cachos are dead set on keeping their business, they can buy MORE instead. Mr. Razon can also sell MORE to a third party.

Mr. Razon’s Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. in 2010 sold its 30-percent stake in National Grid Corp. of the Philippines to OneTaipan Holdings Corp. of Henry Sy Jr., after his group just won the franchise to operate the government’s nationwide power transmission system.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@manilastandard.net or extrastory2000@gmail.com

PARTY. Guests attend the BY FAR Party hosted by HAIM and Maya Rudolph at Chateau Marmont on December 4 in Los Angeles. AFP

Siberia fights to preserve permafrost YAKUTSK, Russia―Eduard Romanov points to a spot on a block of flats where a major supporting beam has sagged and begun to crack, destabilizing the nine stories of apartments above.

In Russia’s Siberian city of Yakutsk, one of the coldest on Earth, climate change is causing dangerous melting of the frozen ground, or permafrost, on which the buildings stand.

“Since the year before last, the building has started to list and has tilted about 40 centimetres (16 inches),” says Romanov, a construction worker and environmental activist.

“There is a danger that it will tilt even more,” he says, as laborers perform emergency welding on the structure, the temperature around minus 35 degrees Celsius (minus 31 Fahrenheit).

Average temperatures in Yakutsk have risen by 2.5 degrees Celsius over the past decade, say scientists at the Melnikov Permafrost Institute located here, the world’s only such research center.

Most Soviet-era apartment blocks in Yakutsk are made of concrete panels and stand on stilts to ventilate the building’s underside and prevent it heating the permafrost, a layer of soil cemented together with water that is only stable as long as it stays frozen.

Rising summer temperatures can destroy the solid permafrost. As the ice melts, the clay or sand simply sinks together with whatever is on top of it -- a road, a building, a lake or a layer of fertile “black earth” for agriculture.

Permafrost covers almost the whole of Yakutia -- a northeast Siberian region bordering the Arctic Ocean, an area five times the size of France.

In total, around 65 percent of Russian territory is covered by permafrost. AFP

Saudi prince slammed after briefing WASHINGTON—Two key US Repub- Prince Mohammed exchanged 11 meslican senators said a Tuesday briefing sages with his close aide Saud al-Qaby the CIA’s director only strengthened htani, who allegedly oversaw the murtheir conviction that Saudi Arabia’s der, just before and after it took place. crown prince directed the murder of Some of the most important evidence journalist Jamal Khashoggi. may be an audio recording of the murThe explosive new declarations by der that Turkey said it has distributed. members of President Donald Trump’s Graham said that was not played in own party run counter to the White Tuesday’s briefing.

House narrative downplaying possible The Saudi government went into links between Crown Prince Moham- damage control mode, with a spokesmed bin Salman and the October killing person for the Saudi Embassy, Fatimah of journalist and palace critic Khashog- Baeshen, saying the kingdom maintains gi at the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate. its “steadfast” commitment to the US“I have zero question in my mind that Saudi relationship and does “categorithe crown prince directed the murder cally reject” accusations linking the and was kept appraised of the situation prince to the killing. all the way through it,” Senate Foreign “At no time did HRH the Crown Relations Committee Chairman Bob Prince correspond with any saudi offiCorker told reporters after CIA direc- cials in any government entity on harmtor Gina Haspel briefed a small group ing Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen,” of senators. she said on Twitter.

“If MBS were in front of a jury, he’d Graham stressed that he believes the be convicted in less than 30 minutes,” crown prince has put the decades-long Corker said, using the prince’s initials. US-Saudi relationship at risk.

Fellow Republican Senator Lindsey “If the Saudi government is going to Graham, a Trump ally who has joined be in the hands of this man for a long a growing collection of lawmakers urg- time to come, I find it very difficult to ing the president to take a far tougher be able to do business, because I think stance against Riyadh, also attended he’s crazy, I think he is dangerous,” he the hour-long closed-door briefing, and said. AFP minced no words afterwards.

The crown prince is “crazy” Manila and “a wrecking ball” who is Standard TODAY “complicit in the murder of Mr Khashoggi to the highest level possible,” Graham said in withN OTICE ering criticism of an American Notice is hereby given that ALL NATURAL COCO PRODUCTS, INC. with project site located in ally.

Brgy. Buntis, Bacong, Negros Oriental is applying for “There’s not a smoking gun registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Export Producer of Oleochemicals on a Nonbut a smoking saw.”

Pioneer Status with the following capacity: The South Carolina senator Capacity being applied was directly repudiating com(MT/year) CNO Refinery Plant 1,804.69 ments by top Trump administraFatty Acid Plant 48,956.32 tion officials, including Defense Medium Chain Triglyceride 2,551.43 (MCT) Plant Secretary Jim Mattis, who just Any person with valid objections on the abovelast week said there was “no mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, smoking gun” implicating the under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication/posting. crown prince.

US newspapers, including The (SGD.) EVARISTE M. CAGATAN Director Wall Street Journal, have reportManufacturing Industries Service ed that the CIA has evidence that (MS-DEC. 6, 2018)

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

B4

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018

Los Baños-based agencies hold workshop on ‘agro-bio’tack

By Brenda Jocson

NEW TRAIN SERVICE. The Philippine National Railways has launched a new shuttle train service from Gov. Pascual station in Malabon City to FTI in Taguig City. Present at the ribbon-

cutting ceremony are (from left) PNR board chairman Roberto T. Lastimoso, PNR general manager Junn B. Magno, Malabon Vice Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Malabon Rep. Ricky Sandoval, and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. Andrew Rabulan

Ompong-hit LGUs aided

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Makati city government is giving P22.75million financial assistance to 18 provinces and 34 cities and municipalities severely affected by Typhoon “Ompong” two months ago.

Mayor Abigail Binay said the City Council passed City Ordinance No. 2018-102 appropriating the amount upon her recommendation to support the recovery programs of the affected areas.

“We would like to help out fellow local government units with their efforts to recover from the severe damage inflicted

by Ompong. We hope our donations can somehow alleviate the plight of the victims,” Binay said.

Under City Ordinance No. 2018-102, the city has appropriated P8.25 million for selected provinces in Regions I, II, III and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). For 34 cities and municipalities in the said regions, the city has appropriated P14.5 million.

Under Region, I, the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan will each receive P500,000 in financial assistance from Makati.

In Region II, Cagayan and Isabela will each receive P500,000, while Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya will each receive P250,000.

For Region III, the city will donate P500,000 each to the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan and Tarlac, and P250,000 to Zambales.

The provinces of Abra, Apayao, Kalinga and Benguet in CAR will each receive P500,000.

Meanwhile, 34 cities and municipalities in the said regions will receive financial assistance from Makati. In Ilocos Norte, the LGUs of Batac, Pagudpud

and Paoay will each receive P250,000, while Laoag City will receive P1 million.

In Ilocos Sur, P1 million will be given to Cabugao, and P500,000 each to Caoayan and Santa Lucia.

In La Union, P250,000 each will be given to Caba, Naguilian and Santol, while Agoo City will receive P1 million.

In Pangasinan, the localities of Aguilar, Alcala and Rosales will each receive P250,000; Mangatarem, P750,000; and Mangaldan, P1 million.

In Cagayan, the municipality of Gonzaga will receive P500,000; Tuguegarao City, P750,000; and Baggao, P1 million.

In Aurora, Disalag and Dingalan will each receive P250,000. The localities of Cabiao, Cuyapo, Guimba, and Licab will each receive P250,000, while P500,000 has been earmarked for Cabanatuan City. In Pampanga, Masantol will receive P250,000. For affected localities in Abra, namely, Bangued, Bucay, Manabo, and Tayum, P250,000 each.

The localities of Kabugao in Apayao and Tublay in Benguet will each get P250,000 from the city, while Pinukpok of Kalinga will receive P500,000.

Under the guidelines for financial assistance to disaster-affected areas in the country, adopted through City Ordinance No. 2017-006, the Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council approved a maximum of P500,000 financial assistance to affected provinces with at least 5,001 or higher number of affected families. For those with at least 2,000 to 5,000 affected families, P250,000 will be given.

Through Presidential Proclamation No. 593 issued on September 25, Regions I, II, III, and CAR were declared under the state of calamity due to “widespread destruction and substantial damages and deaths.”

Earlier this year, under the Adopt-aSchool Program of the Department of Education-Makati, the city government donated 2,500 food packs, 5,000 pairs of school shoes, 10,875 sets of school uniforms; 1,946 P.E. jogging pants, 5,594 P.E. T-shirts; 358 boy’s polo; 331 girl’s blouse, 202 boy shorts, 50 skirts, and 1,009 pants to elementary and secondary school children of war-torn Marawi City.

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna―A Philippine government-hosted treaty organization and another international agency based here led a multi-sectoral workshop on mainstreaming biodiversity in food and agriculture in Bangkok, Thailand from Dec. 4 to 6.

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture in collaboration with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity said the workshop was co-hosted by Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Leah Lyn Domingo, Searca public relations specialist, said the workshop at the Amarai Watergate in Bankok was conducted to provide a platform for the environment and agriculture sectors in the ASEAN community, and discuss and develop a common understanding of agro-biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

Representatives of the environment and agriculture ministries of ASEAN Member States, relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies, the ASEAN Secretariat, development partners, and relevant networks from the education and research sectors participated the said workshop.

Domingo said the multi-sectoral workshop also intends to identify and define possible areas of collaboration and supportive processes among the relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies and development partners towards mainstreaming biodiversity in the agriculture sector.

Among the expected outputs of the workshop is a pilot project in agrobiodiversity that includes the recommended elements and structure of a multi- and cross-sectoral coordination mechanism among and between the relevant ASEAN bodies for mainstreaming, conservation, and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity in the ASEAN region.

“Mainstreaming agro-biodiversity is the first joint thematic initiative of ACB and Searca which proposes to facilitate inter-sectoral discussion towards a common understanding of conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity in the ASEAN,” Domingo said.

The workshop is the second collaboration of SEARCA and ACB under a formal agreement to pursue common objectives in biodiversity and agriculture signed in July 2016.

In September 2017, the first major activity of this cooperation was a regional workshop on mainstreaming biodiversity in agriculture for sustainable development and food security in Southeast Asia in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Cauayan mall cited as PWD-friendly GenSan mayor lauds Alsons plant’s kid aid CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela—Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc. has recognized SM City Cauayan as “Disabled Friendly Establishment of the Year” Bronze awardee.

Kristal Gayle Agbulig, SM Cauayan information officer, said the award was given during the recent 29th Apolinario Mabini Awards ceremony at Club Filipino, San Juan City.

Agbulig said SM City has been compliant with Batas Pambansa 344, which aims to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings,

institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. also bagged numerous awards for its other malls and department stores.

Other Bronze awardees for “DisabledFriendly Establishment of the Year” were SM City Cabanatuan, SM City Clark, SM BF Paranaque, SM City Sucat, The SM Store Cabanatuan, The SM San Store Jose Del Monte, SM East Ortigas, The SM Store Trece Martires, and SM Seaside Cebu Supermarket. Brenda Jocson

Officials of the SM Prime malls and department stores stand with their trophies from the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled as ‘Disabled Friendly Establishment of the Year’ in the award rites on Monday. Brenda Jocson

Navotas MRF aids zero-waste city campaign

By Jun David NAVOTAS Mayor John Rey M. Tiangco, together with Vice Mayor Clint Geronimo, Brgy. Captain Malou Gonzales and other city officials, recently led the inauguration of the Materials Recovery Facility at Brgy. Bagumbayan North or BBN. Navotas has partnered with GAIA and Mother Earth Foundation to implement a Zero Waste Program, which includes the establishment of MRFs. GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 600 grassroots groups, non-govern-

ment organizations and individuals who are leading the transition toward a zero waste world.

Mother Earth Foundation works with communities, schools and private institutions in the Philippines in implementing zero waste projects.

Both organizations observed the implementation of BBN’s door-to-door sorted waste collection and its enforcement of environmental laws, together with deputized eco-police of the Navotas City Environment and Natural Resources Office.

GENERAL Santos City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera has recognized the efforts of Sarangani Energy Corp. in the field of education and health during his recent State of the City Address at the Lagao Gymnasium.

Noting the city government’s direction of focusing on malnutrition in the early childhood education systems, Rivera said the city government would be monitoring the nutrition of children in all daycare centers.

SEC, of the Alsons Power Group, was specially mentioned for opening up two feeding centers or central kitchen facilities in Lozano Elementary and Shuttle Elementary School, both located in General Santos.

“We would like to thank our private partners like the Sarangani Energy Corp. who has also adopted some of our schools and has put up two central kitchens,” the mayor said.

Earlier this year, SEC officials led the groundbreaking for the feeding centers at Shuttle Elementary School in Barangay San Jose, and Lozano Elementary School in Barangay San Jose, both in GenSan. Although SEC operates mainly in neighboring Sarangani Province, particularly in the town of Maasim, it has extended its focus on education and health to some of the schools and localities in GenSan. The feeding centers, that come complete with tables, chairs and a central kitchen, were provided by SEC in support of the School-Based Feeding Program organized by the Department of Education.

This program was designed to reduce the incidence of malnutrition in the community, improve education retention thru proper nourishment and reduce absenteeism in school-aged children who do not want to go to school because they do not have anything to eat or those that do not come back after going home to eat lunch.

HEALTH SUMMIT. Stakeholders stand in unison after the recent First Leadership

Summit of Universal HealthCare at the Ateneo Professional School Auditorium in Rockwell Center, Makati City. Among them are (from left) Rudy Ang, Dean of the Ateneo Graduate School of Business; Fernando Zobel de Ayala, President and COO of Ayala Corporation and Chairman of AC Health; Dr. Antonette Palma Angeles, Vice President of the Ateneo Professional Schools; Senator Risa Hontiveros-Co, author of the Universal Health Care Bill; Manuel Dayrit, Dean of the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health; Paolo Borromeo, President and COO of AC Health; and Dr. Ronald Mendoza, Dean of the Ateneo School of Government. Manny Palmero

Pampanga bags national Kalasag Award SAN FERNANDO—Pampanga bested other provinces across the country in terms of disaster risk reduction and rescue during the 20th National Gawad Kalasag Awards on Tuesday at the AFP Amphitheater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The prestigious award was received

by Pampanga Vice Governor Dennis Pineda in behalf of his mother, Governor Lilia Pineda, during the rites at the AFP General Headquarters.

A national selection committee from from member-agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chaired by the Office of Civil Defense conducted a series of stringent evaluation of the provincial disaster council’s systems and programs, developed from one of the world’s worst disasters, Mt. Pinatubo’s 1991 eruptions and lahar flows.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana handed the award to Vice Governor Pineda, co-chair of the PDRRMC, at the AFP Amphitheater.

“The PDRRMC stood out for its best

practices in empowering communities and the private sector to be alert, prepared and safe from disasters,” the council’s action officer Angelina Blanco explained.

The PDRRMC won the regional Gawad Kalasag Hall of Fame for five consecutive years. In 2016, the PDRRMC landed second in the 18th National Gawad Kalasag.

“The National Gawad Kalasag Award recognizes the leadership of the PDRRMC headed by the chairperson, Governor Lilia Pineda, and vice chairperson, Vice Governor Dennis Pineda, in the council’s programs and projects that try to reduce the risks posed on people by natural hazards such as flooding, storm surges, landslides and earthquakes,” Blanco said.

“Through the PDRRMC, we also see the cooperation of the provincial government, public agencies, private organizations, non-government organizations and civil society groups,” she added.

Jess Malabanan

Life

bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @mstandardLIFe

household

thursday, december 6, 2018

C1

‘Tis the season of wonders at Shangri-La Plaza THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH. Ballerinas perform during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony of Shangri-La Mall whose theme is inspired by the circus.

C

hristmas is fun and magical at shangri-La Plaza.

the premier mall is all decked out in holiday trimmings inspired by the circus. the mall’s entrances turn into revolving carousels to welcome mall guests, while the Grand atrium offers a breathtaking scene of acrobats, hot air balloons, and colorful balls and banners, suspended from its high ceiling. the East atrium beckons with twinkling lights, gold tinsel, and tassels; while the grand 50-foot Christmas tree at the main Wing, which was lighted on Dec. 1, offers an “instagrammable” spot with its striped hot air balloon ornaments, deck of cards, Ferris wheel, and acrobats, topped with a lighted marquee. aside from circus characters, santa’s present at the mall, too. Children can find out whether they were naughty or nice this year at santa’s Corner, located at the hallway by the rocky mountain on mid-Level at East Wing. mall-goers will be entertained with musical performances happening in December.

Catch the aBs-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra with the ateneo Chamber singers, indie folk band Ben&Ben, the Philippine madrigal singers, Karylle, and various choir groups as they serenade mall guests throughout the month. as Christmas is the season of giving, shoppers can take the opportunity to help less fortunate children through Grant a holiday Wish. they can purchase Christmas angels handcrafted by local artisans from CCaP for only P200 and hang these on Christmas trees—proceeds from sale of the handcrafted ornaments will go to Unang hakbang Foundation, which aims to nurture and empower children from underprivileged communities.

The Grand Atrium offers a breathtaking scene of acrobats, hot air balloons, and colorful balls and banners.

shangri-La Plaza also proves that it’s truly the gift that keeps on giving with the rev Up Your style raffle. several sleek and stylish dream rides are at stake, including a 2018 mini three-door hatch Cooper, a 2018 mini Convertible Cooper s, and six 2018 Vespa s125s. Every P2,500 single receipt purchase at the shang entitles shoppers to one raffle

coupon. Purchases from Nov. 16 to Jan. 6, 2019 will be included in the first raffle draw, while those made from Jan. 7 to Feb. 17, 2019 can join the second raffle draw.

Call (02) 370-2597/98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial for inquiries and more details.

The 50-foot Christmas tree at the Main Wing features circus-themed decorations, such as hot air balloon ornaments, deck of cards, Ferris wheel, and acrobats.

Vireya, the first and only tropical resort community in Tagaytay Highlands, offers refreshing views of the Taal Lake and Highlands mountains, well as leisure and relaxation amenities which residents can enjoy.

imaGiNE a tropical resort close to the mountains, in a setting that affords the most picturesque views of nature. imagine taking a dip in the swimming pool and getting a massage right after, savoring a laid-back yet vibrant lifestyle. imagine living in this place, you and the whole family.

Now stop imagining, as tropical resort living is possible at Vireya, the first and only tropical resort community in tagaytay highlands. situated at the highest point of the midlands, Vireya offers its residents a perfect blend of the cool mist of the mountains and the warmth of the tropics. residents enjoy the invigorating

Living in your own tropical resort mountain air while looking out at the scenic taal Lake and mt. makiling.

One of the most sought-after developments within the mountain resort complex in tagaytay, Vireya offers a distinct tropical resort experience to future residents and their families with its latest phase.

Future homeowners of Vireya can build tropical-inspired homes on 250-

to 562-square-meter lots, where design elements of wood and wide glass windows let the verdant outdoors in. staying true to its vision of holistic living, the residential property presents diverse points of interests within the community, such as exclusive leisure amenities that promote wellness and adventure right at the resident’s doorstep. take a refreshing dip at the Pavana’s

swimming pool or unwind at the ammanya massage Point; go for a relaxing stroll at Vireya’s pocket parks and gardens like the Cala mira, Leafwing, and Garden Patio; let kids frolic at the very first treehouse within tagaytay highlands; and jump-start an active lifestyle along the jogging path. it even gets better: a property purchase at Vireya comes with access to a wide

range of recreational activities at the Country Club. residents and their guests may try new eco-adventures such as the aerial Walk, trail Buggy, highlands archery, and Pedal Go Kart racing as well as other sports facilities for swimming, tennis, bowling, and badminton.

Gastronomes will be treated to specialty restaurants like the highlander steakhouse, highlands China Place, and a variety of dining outlets at the Gourmet avenue.

Tagaytay Highlands is the premier mountain resort development of the SM Group in Tagaytay. Call (02) 505-2422 or 0917-5150158 or visit www.tagaytayhighlands.com for inquiries and more details.

Life

C2

thursday, december 6, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

F

Pedicab driver pedals his way to success

ilipino success stories often depict people going to far-off places in pursuit of a better life, navigating through unfamiliar territory and enduring homesickness to ensure a more comfortable life back home.

Then there are stories about people who do not have to look far for success, those who are able to bloom where they are planted.

Such is the story of Anthony ortega, a homegrown team member of Aboitizpower subsidiary Therma South, inc. in Davao, who became the company’s employee number one when he was hired in 2011.

A resident of Barangay Binugao, TSi’s host community, ortega started out as a company driver and held the position for six years before becoming an auxiliary operator for coal handling in the operations team.

Seven years ago, ortega had to wear several hats to help make ends meet. in the afternoon, he would run errands for a local karenderia. From evening until daybreak, he would ferry passengers in his pedicab on the streets. Sometimes, he would even work as a disc jockey during barangay festivities.

“Before joining Aboitizpower, wala talaga akong stable na trabaho. Kahit anong ginagawa ko basta legal para maka-kita lang ng pera. Sa isang gabi ng pamamasada, siguro i earn mga P400. Pero kukunan pa ‘yon ng konsumo. Papadala pa ng sustento sa anak.

So halos wala nang matira para sa akin (Before joining Aboitizpower, i had no

Anthony Ortega worked as a pedicab driver before joining TSI as a company driver and eventually becoming an auxillary operator.

stable job. i did anything just to earn money as long as it was legal. in one night of driving a pedicab, i earn around p400. But a chunk of that goes to basic necessities and the rest to my daughter in Compostela Valley. So there is barely anything left for me),” related ortega.

When he heard talks of a coal-fired power plant to be built in his community back in 2011, he was one of the advocates who strongly supported the project. This was how he met Willy Rodolfo of Aboitizpower and learned they were looking for a company driver.

Despite not having any idea what he was getting into or any expectations that he would be chosen out of all the applicants, he still applied for the position. He was hired on May 16 of the same year. “i did not have any idea when i first started, i had the mindset of someone who had been unemployed for most of his life. i even went to work with holes in my shoes on the first day,” he shared.

The hardworking father believes that his time with the company has made a huge impact on his values.

“My attitude and behavior slowly changed during the time i was with sir Willy and [his boss] miss Ria. i learned how to align myself with the company values. i was also able to buy new

Ortega works hard to give his family a better life.

shoes,” ortega said as he reminisced about his beginnings.

His time as a company driver also allowed him to talk to different executives, which helped build his confidence. “i’ve had passengers who were top management and expats. Back then i used to shy away from them. i looked down on myself. But later on i realized that i was a person too, so why should i look down on myself? i still carry with me that confidence that i found to this day,” said ortega.

The company driver then became an auxiliary operator for coal handling in the operations team in June 2017.

When asked what made him stay this long, he said, “Valuing people. it really stuck to me. When you work here, the company supports you. They boost you. i have finished a lot of nC-ii trainings because of Aboitiz.”

“Aboitiz values your growth. That is the reason why i stayed for seven years.” ortega may already have come a long way in the last seven years, but this plant has only just started blooming.

Wholly-owned Aboitizpower subsidiary Therma South, inc. is the owner and operator of the 300-megawatt Davao Baseload power plant located in Binugao, Toril, Davao City.

How to introduce organic food to kids

Peachy Tiu, assistant vice president for construction supplies group, led the team when they visited Paringao Elementary School in Bauang, La Union.

JDI donates sealant

to typhoon Ompong-hit schools AS pART of its corporate social responsibility efforts, Jardine Distribution, inc. recently went to Typhoon ompong-hit areas of la Union, ilocos Sur, and Benguet to reach out to the schools destroyed by the storm JDi donated several boxes of its elastomeric sealant, Sureseal, for the repairs of damaged roofs.

Among the schools JDi visited were Bayugan Elementary School in la Trinidad, Benguet; paringao Elementary School in Bauang, la Union; Tamurong Elementary School in Candon, ilocos Sur; and Catbangen Central School in San Fernando, la Union.

“Education has always been a huge

part of our corporate social responsibility because we believe that educating the youth and supporting educational institutions are key to our bigger purpose of nurturing and caring for the Filipino home,” said peachy Tiu, assistant vice president of JDi. Tiu added, “By helping in building strong schools and strong minds, we are confident that our future is in good hands.” in 2013, after the record-breaking Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) pummeled leyte and Samar, JDi was also among the first to contribute to recovery efforts by donating tents and school supplies to affected schools and students.

ToDAY’S food can be a source of artificial growth hormones and pesticides, causing health risks to everyone, especially children who are most vulnerable because of their still developing immune systems. one of the best ways to limit children’s exposure to harmful chemicals is to introduce them to organic food at an early stage.

Food and organic product organizations confirm that organic products have become more mainstream in recent years as the demand for healthier and more natural products have risen. nowadays, organic products are not just found in specialty stores or drug stores but are made available at groceries, supermarkets, and online. nourishing kids with the healthiest food to ensure their growth and development is always a priority among moms. By establishing an organic lifestyle for the family, they are ensuring their kids get the best of nature and the best of health.

Here are some ways to introduce organic food to children:

Choose organic fruits and vegetables

produce such as potatoes and apples can be consumed without removing its skin, but these have the highest amounts of pesticide residue. To avoid intake of harmful chemicals and ensure to get the good minerals and vitamins, switch to organic. in addition, it is best to buy food items that have the lowest chemical residue like eggplant, cabbage, mango, and onion.

Parents are advised to introduce kids to healthy living at an early age.

rants that offer organic meals that fit When making meals, use organic their budget. meat, eggs, and dairy. one of the few Start an organic garden organic milk brands available in the at home market today is promil organic, which it will only require little time and is made from 100 percent organic dairy space to grow one’s own organic promilk from certified European farms. duce. The most important element in organic gardening is good and healthy Dine in restaurants soil. Home testing kits, available which offer organic food at gardening stores and online, can on their menu Through a quick search online, any- check the soil’s pH level and breakone can review and choose among dif- down of nutrients to ensure that it is ferent farm-to-table concept restau- free of harmful chemicals.

Use organic ingredients

Entertainment

Tom Taus, Jennifer Lee I

NTERNATIONAL Djs Tom Taus and Jennifer Lee will pump up the crowd and get young revelers joining in the celebration of milestones achieved by Batangasat the upcoming Batangas Rave (BRAVE) Party on Dec. 8.

International Djs Tom Taus and Jennifer Lee headline the BRAVE party at the Lima Park Hotel Open Grounds inside the Lima Technology Center in MalvarLipa, Batangas, in support of the province's 437th Foundation Day Celebration.

In support of the 437th Foundation Day Celebration of Batangas, FAITH Colleges (First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities) is organizing the BRAVE party at the Lima Park Hotel Open Grounds inside the Lima Technology Center in Malvar-LIpa, Batangas.

FAITH Colleges Director for Marketing & Corporate Communications Rosalind Landicho said, “We have been organizing rave parties in the last three years as part of raising funds for scholarships for senior high school.”

“For the first time, we are bringing the party outside of FAITH to reach more young people so they can be part of celebrating our province’s rich culture and heritage,” Landicho added sharing that the party will be an early Christmas party for the youth of Batangas.

To open the BRAVE party, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas has prepared a video, and from sundown until midnight, the BRAVE party will have performances by various artists. Local artists Crazy Al and the Parisukat Band will open the party as they perform live the new Batangas jingle.

This will be followed by Lipa-based reggae band The Blanc. Former Viva Hot Babe turned international DJ

Jennifer Lee will be up next will is expected to dazzle the crowd with her LED dance performance and live musical instruments. Jennifer Lee is recognized as the country’s first and best DJ by ALIW Awards. Before the clock strikes midnight, the crowd will be on fire as former local showbiz star and now one of Hollywood’s favorite DJs Tom Taus will electrify the crowd as he brings his heart-stopping EDM mix and live percussion into one explosive performance.

The 437th Batangas Province Founding Anniversary celebration is organized by the Batangas Provincial Tourism, Culture, and Arts Office (PTCAO), Batangas Tourism Council, FAITH Colleges, and Lima Park Hotel, in cooperation with The Outlets at Lipa. This is also made possible with the support of Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation, Science Park of the Philippines, Universal Robina Corporation, Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, Hamilo Coast, Liberty Builders and Development Corporation, CAN-I United, and Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc..

For more information, call the 437th Batangas Foundation Day secretariat: FAITH Colleges at +63 43 778.6397 and 0929 352.8328.

Christmas products buzzing in Honestbee NO TIME to go shopping? Afraid to face the holiday traffic? With Christmas just around the corner, thoughts of Noche Buena and Media Noche, family gettogethers, holiday reunions and parties are probably on your mind. The good news is CDO has partnered with Honestbee to present the CDO Christmas Selection

by CDO Food Store and guarantee goodwill amongst you and your loved ones. With the partnership between CDO and Honestbee, CDO favorites such as the CDO Christmas Treasures, CDO Premium Holiday Ham, CDO Pista Ham, CDO Jamon de Bola, CDO Pear-Shaped

Ham), Danes Cheese Ball, Danes Classic Cheese, Danes Mayo Dressing, and CDO Sweet Preserves can now be delivered straight to your own doorsteps and make preparing for the holidays a breeze. With a simple click online, the Filipino family tradition of serving ham and queso de bola during the Noche Buena and Media Noche is kept alive. And by partnering with Honestbee, CDO has guaranteed an online delivery that is not just dependable but also easy to navigate. Perfect for busy mothers, yuppies and millennials alike, whose lives are always in a rush and depend largely on online shopping.

Honestbee completes the convenience by delivering the goods ordered online. For its first online store placed in the Honestbee App, CDO Christmas Selection by CDO Food Store guarantees Christmas and holiday products that will be picked up fresh and directly from select CDO Food Stores by Honestbee couriers. And as expected from CDO, there is a variety of high quality products that can be be enjoyed not just during the holidays but also every day. So start clicking now and shop at CDO Christmas Selection by CDO Food Store now and don’t forget to add the products to your Honestbee cart.

Talent...

humbled by how the public has received them globally - a staggering 120-million hits for their audition video and another million views for their “Never Enough” video on YouTube and counting.

The ladies are extremely grateful and are enjoying every single live performance they get invited to do, be it in Manila or abroad. The thing that gives them a natural high, they say, is meeting their followers face to face and feeling their love in person.

The alluring Ava and her band have been

creating waves in the live performance circuit as they continue to deliver high energy music at the Resorts World Bar 360 nightly. Catch them and see for yourself the talent that captivates. Alexa Miro is another Primeline star on the rise. After her Jollibee online commercial went viral, she was tapped to appear in ABS-CBN’s TV series Araw Gabi where she got noticed all the more. A pure bundle of talent, this attractive young actress and commercial model is a good singer as well. The Renaissance

From C4

The power of harmony in voice and vision plus their deep faith in the Almighty are what has taken the Cercado Sisters to becoming the most successful global Filipina singing group called 4th impact.

Theirs is a triumphant story from humble beginnings to a life borne out of a dream. The X Factor London favorites are

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, December 6, 2018

ACROSS 1 Bind tightly 4 Cabbies’ income 9 Positioned 14 Add- — (extras) 15 Rodeo noose 16 Island country 17 Clean a fish 18 Shortens an article 19 Pass, as a bill 20 Survey findings 22 Bright beam 24 Williams of tennis 26 Barking 31 C-3P0 or R2-D2 34 Asian city 35 By oneself 38 Grouchy 40 Napoleon’s island 41 Aparicio of baseball 42 Hush-hush org.

43 Farm baby 44 Sarge’s pooch 45 Dry land 47 Ground breakers 48 Threat ender (2 wds.)

50 Decaf drink 52 Xerxes subject 54 Makes coleslaw 58 Fallback strategy (2 wds.)

61 Storage place 62 Percolate 66 Newsstand 68 Ms. Thurman 69 Kind of turf 70 World-weariness 71 Mid-Atlantic st.

72 Friend of Pythias 73 Guys like Hamlet 74 Sixth sense, briefly DOWN 1 Roman garments 2 Harden 3 Banana oil, e.g.

4 San Joaquin Valley city 5 Provide help 6 Travel choice 7 Jazzy — James 8 Disrespectful 9 Everest guide 10 Oddjob’s creator 11 Tijuana aunt 12 And so on 13 Morse code signal 21 Spray cans 23 Facile 25 4-wheel drive feature 27 Type of graph

(2 wds.)

28 Domed residence 29 Aristocrat 30 Pesky insects 32 Toe-stubber’s cry 33 Musical combos 35 Pleasure boat 36 Shocking 37 Quart, plus 39 “Dr. Zhivago” role 45 Animal that barks 46 USN officer

49 Draw off 51 Army duds 53 In the buff 55 Recital piece 56 Pocket change 57 Cut too short 59 Ricci of fashion 60 Beethoven’s birthplace 62 Youth 63 Spanish “that” 64 Banking convenience 65 — -Magnon 67 Seek damages

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Score first dibs on tickets to ‘BLACKPINK LIVE IN MANILA’

headline ‘BRAVE’ celebration in Batangas

DIGITAL MEDIA

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018

GET ready to Ddu-Du DduDu along with the hottest Korean girl group, BLACKPINK, as they come to the Philippines for their first-ever visit!

The K-Pop heartthrobs will be performing live for their Filipino fans at the Mall of Asia Arena on Feb. 2, 2019.

Can’t wait to get your tickets? Globe Prepaid is giving fans the chance to grab the hottest tix before they’re available to the public with not one but two exclusive first dibs promos! Join any of the following promos to get access to the ticket pre-sale started yesterday Dec. 5.

On The List First Dibs Globe Prepaid launches On The List, an exclusive community of customers who will enjoy leveled up event perks.

First dibs promos, ticket giveaways and other surprises await members! Prequalified customers will receive a text inviting them to sign up for On The List.

First 320 members to text “FIRSTDIBS” will surely have first access to the pre-sale and immediately receive a unique code.

They can then purchase their tickets at

SMTickets.com or any SM Tickets outlet with this unique code.

BLACKPINK’s Manila stop is part of the Korean girl group’s 2019 world tour, which also includes Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong. BLACKPINK is the highest-charting female K-pop act on the Billboard Hot 100. They are the first and only K-pop girl group to enter and top Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart.

They are also the first female K-pop group to have four number-one singles on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart.

Most recently, Globe Prepaid brought huge acts such as EXO, Super Junior, and Wanna One to the country to satisfy Filipinos’ K-Pop cravings.

With exclusive BLACKPINK pre-sale promos, Globe Prepaid continues to strengthen this commitment to bringing the best in K-Pop and world-class entertainment closer to Filpinos. For more information, visit globe.com.ph/ go/events/blackpink or follow Globe on Facebook and Twitter.

The much-awaited concert of the K-Pop group BLACKPINK is happening on Feb. 2 next year.

Dance production showcases the effects of technology KIGGINAWAN: The Hidden Island, which juxtaposes technology and culture, is a thesis production to be staged by dance majors of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) on today and tomorrow, Dec. 6 and 7, 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. , at the SDA Theater at the School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus.

Directed by dance major Lea Klariza Roque and written by theater arts student Kyle Gabriel Confesor, the comedic production narrates the story of a tribe in Kigginawan, a fictional virgin island, and how the dynamics of their

society will be greatly affected by the introduction of technology. It triggers a reflection on Filipino culture as it shows how the 21st century gift of advancement may either be a way to find or degrade the value of preserved history.

Regular tickets are priced at P200, while the discounted student price is P150. For ticket inquires, contact +63939 215 5594 or +63905 559 7648.

The SDA Theater is located at 5/F De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, School of Design and Arts Campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo (Vito Cruz) Street, Malate, Manila.

Members of the cast of Kigginawan ‘The Hidden Island’ rehearsing for the big day.

Man Ronnie Henares masterfully juggles his many capabilities as an actor, singer, businessman and sportsman, yet in his prime years. On the acting front, Ronnie continues to shine on GMA-7.

In Pepito Manaloto, he makes TV audiences laugh and love pettifogger Tommy Diones. In The Cure, he was the unconscionable director of the board who betrayed the company.

Watch him in the upcoming primetime show Cain at Abel, as he personifies evil

Gov. Gener. Not to take his musicality for granted, Ronnie performs weekly with his bandMidlife Crisis at Chef and Brewer and on weekends, he will be found either at the firing range or at the fairway.

Primeline powers up during the holidays and is all pumped up for a more vibrant new year soon. For any inquiries about their talents, you may contact them at tel. nos. 0999-8884500 and 0939-9250178 or email them atprimelinemanagement@ gmail.com

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018

Talent management gears up for bigger productions; boasts of new stable of talents PRIMELINE Management and Productions, Inc. (PMPI), the 33-yearold company that has established itself in the local show business industry as a paragon in production and talent management, continues to reach higher heights in 2018 as it gears up for a busier 2019.

Not unknown to many, Primeline is the husband-and-wife tandem of Ronnie and Ida Henares and the one distinctly behind the Cinderella-rise to stardom of such great talents as Regine Velasquez and Lani Misalucha, just to name a few.

Primeline today hasn’t rested on its laurels and is happy to be adding more milestones in its history by producing shows and developing new exciting and excellent artists.

Just recently, Primeline mounted a highly successful reunion concert called Twofus…Reunion of Friends at the Solaire which featured Ronnie and his long-time pal Jojit Paredes (both were the country’s biggest hearththrobs during the ‘70s).

The voice of Fra Lippo Lippi Per Sorensen recently greeted the Filipino media in a way he is embraced for—singing and playing keyboard.

YUGEL LOSORATA

As per Sorensen

A Regal

REUNION

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

Starring Dennis Trillo, JC De Vera and Kim Chiu, the Regal Entertainment MMFF offering asks the question: Have you found your One Great Love?

T

Multi-awarded young actress Mary Joy Apostol is a proud member of Primeline's new high-calibre stable of artists.

Jojit and Ronnie, along with their guests - OPM icons Jim Paredes and Buboy Garovillo, beyond funny Mitch Valdes, and the age-defying Aldeguer Sisters— all delivered a truly enjoyable night.

From guest line up to the choice of songs, the show flowed seamlessly and treated the appreciative audience to an unforgettable trip down memory lane.

Young and old alike enjoyed good music and outstanding performance that night prompting one concert-goer to quip, “this is such a beautiful, blessed night.”

Primeline is proud to present their new high-calibre stable of artists - multiawarded and perennial winner Mary Joy Apostol; global Filipina singing group 4th Impact; singer-performer Ava and actress-singer Alexa Miro.

Mary Joy’s budding career is already stamped with excellence. This early, Mary Joy’s acting has already been getting nods from local and International award giving bodies. She has tucked under her belt Best Actress awards from Facine Festival (San Francisco), Vietnam Film Festival; Eddy’s Choice Awards; Ursula Best Heritage Film Awards; and Gintong Kabataan.

Mary Joy is one of Film Development Councils ambassadors for her global recognitions. All her portrayals are met with accolades that those who hear of her cannot help but wonder who that fine young actress is.

She has been invited to portray dramatic roles in ABS-CBN’s Maalaala Mo Kaya four times already and, her most recent concluded episode entitled “Incest daughter”, garnered a high rating of 26.4 percent over competition. Watch out for this endearing and exciting rising star in ABS-CBN’s upcoming soap opera Los Bastardos and movies Eerie and Hospicio. Continued on C3

EN years since her last big screen outing with Regal Entertainment (2008, Shake, Rattle & Roll), Kim Chiu feels good that she’s done another movie with Mother Lily Monteverde’s film outfit. This time, it’s a romantic film.

Titled One Great Love, which also stars Dennis Trillo, who is working with Kim for the first time, and another Kapamilya talent, JC de Vera, the premise revolves around the subject that everybody is highly familiar with and which we can all relate to—finding the person whom we hope to spend the rest of our life with.

“The story tackles about love, which remains to be one of the greatest mysteries up to this day. Falling in love with someone is one thing, but staying in love with that person is another story,” Kim said.

Kim shows a different side of her in this movie. Mainly known for essaying romantic-comedy roles in movies, Kim goes out of her comfort zone and portrays another mature character. The bubbly Kim will not be seen in Zyra, her character in the movie. She is also having love scenes in this film.

“Zyra is woman who is already in her late twenties and is confronted by questions as to when she’ll get married.

Interestingly, I read the script in one of my air travels. As soon as the airplane landed, I immediately called my handler to express my desire to do it. I instantly fell for the story,”

Kim shared.

In the film, JC portrays the role of Carl Mauricio. Carl’s turbulent past has left a scarred, and in the process, keeps hurting the woman who did nothing but love him over anything else. Meanwhile, Dennis is Dr. Ian Arcano, a heart doctor who firmly believes in the sanctity of family and keeping it that way. Ian is a dependable friend to Zyra, but then eventually falls in love with her. The lives of Zyra, Carl, and Ian are intertwined with one another in a story that reveals to us that like every human being, we all seek for love, but our views about it differ.

The movie helps us understand ourselves through the characters: are you the type to cling to someone you love no matter what or are you willing to let it go for someone you love? The film also stars Eric Quizon (who also helmed the romantic drama) portraying Dante Paez, Zyra’s loving father, who never got over of his One Great Love, discovers that he deserves a second chance at love.

Nina Dolino as Annie Paez, Dante’s second wife, who is a firm believer that One Great Love exists. Miles Ocampo is Jemi Paez, sister of Zyra and who is mature for her age.

She is a practical thinker, who challenges Zyra’s view about love. Marlo Mortel is Bryan Gomez, a loving free-spirited guy who falls in love with Jemi.

“All of them are good in this movie. I bet they’d even win awards with their performance. Totoong magagaling.

Maganda ang pelikula para sa pasko. One Great Love is a movie to watch out for,” Regal matriarch Mother Lily shared in a statement referring to the main cast of the movie. One Great Love is an official entry to this year’s edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival, which opens on Dec. 25.

The cast of 'One Great Love' with director Eric Quizon (center) and Regal's Roselle Monteverde (2nd from right)

WHILE something in the beauty of his voice made us, his Filipino fans, go endlessly mad over Fra Lippo Lippi’s now-classic catalogue, frontman Per Sorensen’s melody writing is as equally strong as a foundation for such admiration.

In my interview with him held at Hilton Hotel in Resorts World Manila exactly a week ago, he noted two key points about his songwriting routine.

One, he gives special treatment to writing song bridges. The other, he is usually wrong in determining which one becomes a big hit.

“I understand that I’ve done some good work and most of the time I just played through them. I always think this particular song would become a hit and it didn’t,” admitted Per with a wide smile.

He co-wrote most of those hits with lyricist and bassist Rune Kristoffersen.

Their process put him in the forefront of providing music first before lyrics are laid out.

For his somewhat questionable gut feel on what tracks would become popular, he made up for great writing that stood the test of time. Cases in points: “Beauty and Madness,” “Angel,” Light And Shade,” “Shouldn’t Have To Be Like That,” “Everytime I See You,” “The Distance Between Us,” “Later” and “Stitches And Burns,” the duo’s most streamed song to date.

Per pointed out, “I take pride in writing good bridges. That’s putting something else entirely different after the verses and choruses. It may be a half groove or however you want it. But somehow running not on the same chords.”

For that, it made sense that when he starts singing “Time after time/Nothing that I can do” in “Stitches and Burns,” it puts our listening experience further to a spot unique from the rest of the song and then sensibly, it gets us back to the hook.

On an emotional level, it warmly stitches the wounds.

Per, who has been writing tunes since he was 13, will perform in a concert in front of Filipino audiences tonight at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (Resorts World Manila in partnership with Ultimate Entertainment). It should be an engaging throwback Thursday experience with the lead singer performing with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rodel Colmenar.

The youngest of four brothers, the Norwegian singer-songwriter grew up liking the music of The Beatles, Neil Young, Elton John and few other acts of such magnitude. He recalled being swept over by the sound of Led Zeppelin, especially John Bonham’s ground-shattering drumming.

Yet his practice is never to pick a famous song and write one around it.

“You don’t do that as you will end up copying and make it a little bit worse,” he said in jest.

In acknowledging the foreign crowd loudly appreciating him for the last 30 years, he said he likes our breed for “not holding back” and “just going for it.”

He is referring to the Pinoy’s strength to carry a tune.

(Tickets are available at the RWM Box Office or TicketWorld outlets).

GMA keeps lion’s share in November nationwide TV ratings GMA Network maintained its nationwide ratings advantage based on the latest data from the industry’s widely-trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

For the month of November (Nov. 25 to 30 based on overnight data), GMA posted an average total day people audience share of 38.6 percent in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM), which surpassed ABS-CBN’s 37.5 percent.

In the morning block, the network registered 36.1 percent people audience share as against rival’s 32.1 percent. It also led in the afternoon block with 40.2 percent people audience share, beating ABS-CBN’s 37.2 percent.

GMA likewise dominated the viewer-rich areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which respectively account for 72 and 59 percent of all urban viewers in the country. It

posted an average total day people audience share of 44.1 percent in Urban Luzon, while ABS-CBN only managed to get 30.8 percent.

In Mega Manila, based on official data from Nov. 1 to 24, the Network posted an average total day people audience share of 45.3 percent, which topped competition’s 28.5 percent.

Kapuso shows similarly ruled Nielsen’s NUTAM list of top-rating programs for November with Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho still reigning as the most watched Kapuso program nationwide followed by Pepito Manaloto, 24 Oras, Daddy’s Gurl, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, and Onanay.

Included in the list as well were Magpakailanman, newly-launched primetime series Cain at Abel, Studio 7, Victor Magtanggol, Amazing Earth, 24 Oras Weekend, Wowowin, Pamilya Roces, Eat Bulaga, and Kapag Nahati Ang Puso.

GMA also dominated both the Urban Luzon and Mega Manila lists, taking 23 and 25 spots out of the top 30 programs, respectively.

Nielsen data is gathered through a greater number of sampled homes nationwide in comparison to Kantar Media. With approximately 900 more homes surveyed in Total Urban and Rural Philippines compared to Kantar, Nielsen data is statistically considered more representative of the total TV population.

In 2018, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s client pool covers a total of 34 clients/subscribers consisting of 8 local TV networks including ABS-CBN, TV5, Aksyon TV, CNN Philippines, and Viva Communications Inc., among others; 3 regional clients; 2 blocktimers; and 21 agencies (17 media agencies, 3 consulting agencies, 1 digital agency).

Sitcom 'Daddy's Gurl,' topbilled by Vic Sotto and Maine Mendoza, is one of the top-rating shows of GMA for the month of November.